Swarup Group of Industries owned by Guru Swarup Srivastava, who shot into limelight with his Rs 100 crore deal to buy works of noted painter M F Hussain, has been selected as sponsor for the ‘Golden Jubilee Filmfare Awards' this year.

The Bennett Coleman and Co Ltd, owners of Filmfare magazine, had decided to discontinue the sponsorship of Dhariwal Industries Ltd for the annual awards this year after Interpol issued Red Corner notices to Rasiklal Manikchand Dhariwal, owner of Manikchand brand Gutkha, for his alleged links with underworld.

"We are happy to associate with Srivastava, an art connoisseur and owner of Our Planet Called Earth (OPCE) series. The series symbolises existing grim global environment conditions, showcasing the slow ecological degradation and abuse of earth," a Times Infotainment Media release said on Thursday.

Serigraphy prints of the original prints of M F Hussain's OPEC series, bought by Srivastava for Rs 100 crore, would be exhibited at the awards function.

The former sponsor Dhariwal is wanted by Mumbai police under MCOCA for his alleged underworld links and a local court has issued non-bailable warrant against him.