Johnson, Menaka quit film awards panel

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The jury committee formed for the state film awards has been re-constituted with actress Menaka Suresh and music director Johnson quitting the panel as their dates clashed with the screening schedule drawn up to suit the convenience of Chairman Budhadeb Dasgupta.

Menaka and Johnson cited personal reasons but, according to sources, their difficulty to agree with the revised screening schedule was the reason that compelled them to quit.

Writer Savithri Rajeevan and musician Kavalam Sreekumar have been nominated to fill the vacuum, a spokesman for the Cultural Minister M A Baby told reporters.

The original plan was to complete the screening and declare awards before May 10. But, as jury Chairman Dasgupta had to attend some projects during the period, the screenings were rescheduled.

"Dasgupta will be available only from May 10. But, Menaka and Johnson have some earlier commitments to meet.

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