THIUVANANTHAPURAM - Two days after acclaimed director Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s “Oru Pennun Randu Annum” swept the state film awards, veteran Malayalam filmmaker T.V. Chandran Friday said that the awards were given to a “TV serial and not a movie”.

“This time the award for the best film has been given to a TV serial and not a film. Last year his film was not given an award because the then jury felt his film was a serial,” Chandran told reporters here.

Chandran’s “Bhoomi Malayalam” was adjudged the second best by the jury this time.

“Adoor says that this year’s jury was good but not last year’s. When he gets an award, he says the jury is good and if he doesn’t he says the jury is bad. Is this a statement which one expects from a person like Adoor,” asked Chandran.

Adoor bagged the best director, best film and best screenplay award for “Oru Pennun Randu Annum”. While Praveena won the second best actress award for her performance in the film and the best sound recordist trophy also went to “Oru Pennun Randu Annum”.

Reacting to the criticism, Culture Minister M.A. Baby said: “Any creative criticism is welcome… whosoever has raised this is free to carry such feelings.”

Commenting on the same Adoor said that those who think his film is a television serial is “ignorant of what a TV serial is and what a film is”.

“You know that my film, which was sent for last year’s award, has been screened at 40 international venues,” added Adoor.

One of the jury member Priyanandan says Chandran has criticised the selection procedure because he has seen only his film.

“We saw 27 films which came for the awards and then we made the selection,” said Priyanandan.