- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:29831 WP No. 28934 of 2024 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 1ST DAY OF AUGUST, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAVI V HOSMANI WRIT PETITION NO. 28934 OF 2024 (C) BETWEEN: LINGADEVARU B.S. S/O.LATE SHIVANANJAPPA AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS, R/O. NO.47, NALI, 4TH MAIN, M.L.A. LAYOUT, R.T.NAGAR, BENGALURU-560032. …PETITIONER (BY SRI S.V.PRAKASH, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. THE UNION OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING, ROOM NO.655, A WING, SHASTRI BHAWAN, NEW DELHI-110001. REP BY ITS SECRETARY. 2. THE REGIONAL OFFICER CENTRAL BOARD OF FILM CERTIFICATION, KENDRIYA SADAN, D WING, 4TH FLOOR, 17TH MAIN, KORAMANGALA, BENGALURU-560034. 3. THE MANAGING DIRECTOR NATIONAL FILM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, FD COMPLEX, 24, DR. GOPALA RAO DESHMUK MARG, MUMBAI - 400 026, MAHARASHTRA. Digitally signed by ANUSHA V Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:29831 WP No. 28934 of 2024 4. THE NATIONAL FILM AWARD CELL SIRI FORT AUDITORIUM COMPLEX, AUGUST KRANTI MARG, NEW DELHI-110001. REPTD. BY ITS DEPUTY DIRECTOR …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI SHANTHI BHUSHAN H., ADVOCATE) THIS W.P. IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 & 227 OF THE CONSITUTION OF INDIA, PRAYING TO DIRECT RESPONDENT NO.1 TO ADJUDICATE THE DISPUTE RAISED BEFORE HIM BY THE PETITIONER IN THE FORM OF APPLICATION / REPRESENTATION DATED 21.09.2024 AT THE EARLIEST i.e., BEFORE COMMENCEMENT OF SCREENING THE FILMS FOR 71ST NATIONAL FILM AWARDS 2023 COMMITTEE PRODUCED AS PER ANNEXURE-R TO THE WRIT PETITION. THIS PETITION IS COMING ON FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING IN B-GROUP, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAVI V HOSMANI ORAL ORDER This writ petition is filed seeking writ of mandamus directing respondent no.2 to adjudicate dispute raised by petitioner as per petitioner's representation dated 21.09.2024 at Annexure-R before commencement of screening of 71st National Film Awards, 2023, etc. 2. Sri SV Prakash, learned counsel for petitioner submitted that petitioner was writer and director of Kannada - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:29831 WP No. 28934 of 2024 film 'Viraatapura Viraagi', a biographical depiction of life of social reformer, Hanagal Sri Kumara Shivayogi. It was submitted, length of original film was about 3 hours and after same was certified by Censor Board with 'U' certificate on 22.12.2022, it was released. Finding that film was too long, petitioner abridged same after editing, reduced total duration of film and sought recertification from respondent no.2 as provided under Rule 33 of Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983. On 30.06.2023, film was recertified and re-released. 3. It was submitted, it received appreciation when screened during Bengaluru International Film Festival, 2023. Petitioner wished to submit it for National Film Awards, but was doubtful whether recertified movie could be considered. Therefore, he sought clarification. On being informed about possibility of consideration, he submitted movie for consideration at 70th National Film Awards. When consideration met hurdles on query about its original duration being around 3 hours, but movie submitted was of shorter duration, petitioner withdrew it from consideration. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:29831 WP No. 28934 of 2024 4. Thereafter, when 71st National Film Awards was announced as per Annexure-N and as date of recertification of movie fell within eligibility period, petitioner submitted abridged/recertified movie. But, when he realized that it was not being considered on ground that it was considered for 70th National Film Awards, petitioner raised dispute before respondent no.1 as per Annexure-R on 21.09.2024. It was submitted, despite lapse of reasonable period of time, same was pending consideration before respondent no.1, constraining petitioner to file this writ petition and therefore, prayed for allowing writ petition. 5. On other hand, Sri H Shanthi Bushan, learned DSGI appearing for respondents no.1 and 2, on instructions, submitted that prior to submission of representation at Annexure-R, petitioner was issued with communication 'Office Memorandum' dated 12.09.2024 that petitioner's movie was examined by Regional/Central Panel Jury of 70th National Film Awards and therefore it was ineligible for consideration for consideration for 71st National Film Awards. It was submitted, dispute raised was after receipt of said communication. It was however submitted, dispute would be adjudicated and - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2025:KHC:29831 WP No. 28934 of 2024 appropriate orders would be passed on or before 04.08.2025 and result will be intimated to petitioner. 6. Heard learned counsel and perused writ petition records. 7. In view of above submission, petitioner's grievance about non-consideration of representation/dispute at Annexure- R would stand redressed, there would be no need for this Court to adjudicate on merits of contentions of both parties. 8. Taking note of submission by respondents no.1 and 2 that petitioner's representation at Annexure-R would be considered and appropriate orders passed on or before 04.08.2025 and result will be intimated to petitioner and keeping open contentions of both parties, Writ Petition stands disposed of. Sd/- (RAVI V HOSMANI) JUDGE AV List No.: 1 Sl No.: 66