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Patna High Court Questions Awarding of Kishore Kumar Biography as Best Book on Indian Cinema
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Court Challenge to National Film Award
On a Thursday hearing, Justice Ajit Kumar of the Patna High Court issued notices to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), the award jury and the co-authors of *Kishore Kumar: The Ultimate Biography*. The notices demand an explanation of how the biography was selected as the Best Book on Indian Cinema for the 70th National Film Awards. The petition was filed by Patna-based Hindi writer and literary critic Anant Prasad Sinha (pen name “Anant”), who seeks to quash the award.
Eligibility Criteria and Award Details
The winning title, *Kishore Kumar: The Ultimate Biography* by Anirudha Bhattacharjee and Parthiv Dhar, was announced on August 16 2024 and is scheduled to be presented at New Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan on October 8 2024. The award carries the Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) and a cash prize of Rs 1,00,000.
Petitioner's Argument
Sinha contends that a biography of a singer-actor does not satisfy the “book on Indian cinema” requirement. He argues that the same logic could be applied to a biography of B.R. Ambedkar being classified as a book on the Indian Constitution.
Government Response
The Union of India’s senior panel counsel has asked for a three-week period to file a specific counter-affidavit addressing the petitioner’s grievances. The court’s verbal order notes that the counsel will respond within that timeframe.
Verbatim Quotes
- “My contention is simple: If a biography of Kishore Kumar can be called a book on Indian cinema, can a biography of B.R. Ambedkar be called a book on the Indian Constitution? I raised this argument with the Information and Broadcasting Ministry unsuccessfully before moving the court” — Anant Prasad Sinha, literary critic