Dibakar features again in award-wapsi debate

Kolkata: Director Dibakar Banerjee has suddenly found himself in the midst of an awards controversy. In November, Banerjee was among the filmmakers who returned their National Awards as a mark of protest against the government during the FTII controversy. But, with his film 'Detective Byomkesh Bakshy' being an applicant for the 63rd National Awards, at least one of his award-wapsi comrades says he feels "let down".
The Directorate of Film Festivals has come up with a comprehensive list of 308 entries it received - and Banerjee's film is listed as the 179th. Ace cinematographer Ranjan Palit of 'Saat Khoon Maaf' fame, who had returned three of his four National Awards, said, "Dibakar didn't win an award but, by applying, he exposed himself. He even applied for the film he produced for Kanu Behl titled 'Titli'."
Banerjee was unavailable for comment despite repeated attempts but Union minister Babul Supriyo was quick to latch on. "Contrary to what those who returned the awards had said, this move only shows that artistic freedom exists in this country," he said.
But there are others who choose not to judge Banerjee. A 'sad' Madhusree Dutta - who too had returned three National Awards along with Palit and Banerjee - said she would not think it's a 'wrong' move by the 'DBB' director. "He can't be as radical as directors like us. I can't take a stand for which he might have to give up his identity of Bollywood film-maker. Besides, it might not even be Dibakar's personal call to send this film," Dutta said.
However, Palit isn't convinced. "One has to be consistent. A few months back, Dibakar said he was returning the National Award because the state was out to destroy a certain kind of culture. The climate has become worse than what it was when we had returned the National Awards. How can he apply for the same award now?" Palit asked.
But director Amitabh Chakraborty, who too had returned one National Award, said he wouldn't hold anything against the 'DBB' director. "I'm not going to apply till this dispensation is there. But I am a different person. I'm OK with Dibakar's application," Chakraborty said. National Awards, Chakraborty argued, were returned to draw people's attention to the government's high-handedness at FTII. "Dibakar makes films for corporates. Why would he, being the producer of Kanu Bahl's film, not send the application for 'Titli'? I would still applaud Dibakar for protesting then," he added.
Incidentally, Palit's 'SKM' director Vishal Bhardwaj - too was vocal during the FTII controversy. He has got an award this year. "Since he never returned his National Awards then, I won't hold anything against Vishal. Once you have returned an award, you have to stand by it," Palit said.
Palit didn't apply for the awards this year. He claimed that if the 'rulers of the country behave like Fascists this way', he won't ever apply either.