The owner of Filmfare magazine Bennett Coleman and Co Ltd has decided to discontinue the sponsorship of Dhariwal Industries Ltd for the annual Filmfare Awards this year.

The step has been taken in view of the Interpol issuing red corner notices to Rasiklal Manikchand Dhariwal, owner of the Manikchand brand Gutkha, for his alleged underworld links, the Times Group said in Mumbai on Wednesday.

The Times Group said it has been hosting Filmfare Awards since last 50 years and it has been sponspored by Dhariwal Industries Ltd since 1999 under the title 'Manikchand Filmfare Awards.'

"This year also we would have continued with this association but for the circumstances causing deep concern to us," the group said.

Dhariwal is wanted by Mumbai police under MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) for his alleged underworld links and a local court has issued non-bailable warrant against him.

The Times Group said: "Filmfare is a magazine of great repute and so are the Filmfare Awards. We believe that this association of Filmfare Awards with Manikchand as its sponsors would tarnish the clean image of Filmfare and the Times Group."

"We have been receiving several telephone calls and enquiries from viewers, business associates, well-wishers and the film fraternity expressing their strong reservation on the continuance of the Manikchand Group as the sponsor of the Filmfare Awards," the announcement said.

"Without any reflection on the proceedings, which are going on against Rasiklal Dhariwal, the establishment of Bennett Coleman and Co Ltd has decided to discontinue the sponsorship of Dhariwal Industries Limited," the Times Group said.