by Subhash K Jha

Annoyed and outraged beyond reason, for a rather unfortunate goof-up in the nominations lists for the Screen awards, Anupam Kher has decided to stay away from the function next week.

"How could they nominate my director Jahnu Barua in the 'Best Debut' category? Barua has made many films in his native language Assamese and won innumerable national and international awards...Just because they THINK Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara is Jahnu's first feature film they've chosen to insult him, me and the film," Anupam sounded upset.

Continues Anupam, "First of all Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara isn't Barua's first Hindi film. In 1982 he made Apeksha which was the Hindi version of his Assamese film Aparoopa. It featured Suhasini Mulay in the lead. Besides that he has made 8-10 feature films before Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara. I thank God that Satyajit Ray's first Hindi film Shatranj Ka Khiladi was made many years ago. Today he'd probably have been nominated for best debutant for Shatranj Ke Khiladi."

Anupam says he won't change his mind.

"My decision is irreversible. It's an insult to me and the director. My Gandhian film got honoured in Pakistan. And this is how they honour the film and its maker in Mumbai?! So, no thanks. I'm not re-considering my decision to attend the awards. Sometimes your absence is the best way of making your presence felt."