Blessy Criticises Ashutosh Gowariker’s Post-National Awards U-Turn on Aadujeevitham

Director Blessy Disappointed Over Aadujeevitham’s National Awards Snub, Questions Ashutosh Gowariker’s U-Turn.

Blessy, the director of the critically acclaimed Malayalam survival drama Aadujeevitham – The Goat Life, has expressed his deep disappointment over the film being completely overlooked at the 2024 National Film Awards. Despite earlier praise from key industry figures, including Ashutosh Gowariker, the film did not win in any category.

In a candid interview with OnManorama, Blessy said he was particularly surprised by the stance taken by Gowariker, the jury chairperson, during the awards selection process. According to the director, Gowariker had previously lauded Aadujeevitham after a private screening during the film’s Oscars campaign, even drawing parallels with David Lean’s epic Lawrence of Arabia.

“He said he hadn’t seen a desert captured so beautifully since Lawrence of Arabia,” Blessy recalled. “If someone once appreciated the film in such detail, how can they later dismiss it on technical grounds? That feels like double standards.”

The director also mentioned turning down a lunch invitation from Gowariker due to prior commitments, subtly hinting at his discomfort with the changing tone of support from the veteran filmmaker.

Why Aadujeevitham Missed Out, According to Jury Member

Providing a counterpoint, National Awards jury member Pradeep Nair explained why the film didn’t make the final cut. In a separate statement to OnManorama, Nair said Gowariker had seen the film earlier at a festival in Goa and had raised concerns about its “adaptation and execution.” He also noted that the performances lacked the natural authenticity expected at that level.

Nair added that Aadujeevitham was indeed considered in multiple categories but failed to meet final consensus. He revealed that the film’s team hadn’t submitted adequate English translations for the lyrics, which may have cost it chances in categories like Best Male Playback Singer and Best Lyrics. While actor KR Gokul’s performance was reportedly appreciated, it was not enough to earn a win due to what Nair called the film’s “overall inconsistency.”

A Passion Project That Divides Opinion

Aadujeevitham, based on Benyamin’s bestselling novel, was a passion project for Blessy, developed over more than a decade and featuring Prithviraj Sukumaran in a physically and emotionally demanding role. The film has received wide acclaim from audiences and international critics alike, making its absence from the awards list all the more surprising for many.