Bengal filmmakers find no merit in returning awards

National Award-winning director Aparna Sen today said that though she supported the filmmakers returning their National Awards to protest against intolerance, she felt there was no logical reason behind the act.
"I definitely support them. In fact, I do not have any problem in returning my award also, but I do not see any logic in returning the award," Sen told PTI.
The actress-turned-director said that the awards were given when there was a different government at the helm and hence "returning the awards now will hardly make sense because this government was not there at that time."
Instead, it would be better if people expressed their protest through their work, she argued.

"I believe the protest will be effective if a letter signed by everybody in the industry is sent to the President," said the acclaimed director, known widely for her films "36 Chowringhee lane" and "Mr and Mrs Iyer".
Asked whether Gajendra Chauhan should continue as the chairman of FTII, Sen said, "I have been following what's going on there (at FTII).. What has been happening has never happened there during earlier governments.

"I think the NDA government must appoint somebody who is internationally acclaimed... Whose works have been recognised internationally."
Describing the mode of protest as a "personal matter" of individuals, national award-winning veteran actor Soumitra Chatterjee, when contacted, declined to comment on the issue.

"I am not interested in this matter. Those who have decided to return their awards have done it because it is their personal decisions. I do not want to say anything about that. I do not have any opinion," Chatterjee said.