Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Patna High Court Questions Kishore Kumar Biography Film Award
A writer has asked the Patna High Court to review a film-related book award.
The award went to a biography of singer and actor Kishore Kumar.
The writer says the award was meant for a book about Indian cinema, not only about a famous film personality.
He also says his own book about making the film Teesri Kasam followed the rules better.
The court has asked government officials, the film corporation, judges and authors to respond.
The officials have been given three weeks to file an answer.
The court has not yet decided whether the award should be cancelled.
The case will be heard again on October 8.
The Patna High Court sought responses over the selection of Kishore Kumar: The Ultimate Biography for a National Film Award.
Writer and critic Anant Prasad Sinha challenged the award, saying eligibility rules were violated.
Sinha argued that his book, Do Gulfamo Ki Teesri Kasam, met the award guidelines and should have won.
The award was announced on August 16, 2024, and presented on October 8, 2024, in New Delhi.
The court issued notices to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, NFDC, jury members and the book’s authors.
- Who
- Patna-based writer and literary critic Anant Prasad Sinha challenged the award against the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the National Film Development Corporation, the jury members and the book’s authors.
- What
- The Patna High Court issued notices over the selection of Kishore Kumar: The Ultimate Biography as the Best Book on Indian Cinema at the 70th National Film Awards.
- When
- The award was announced on August 16, 2024, presented on October 8, 2024, and the court matter will next be heard on October 8.
- Where
- The case is before the Patna High Court; the award was presented at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.
- Why
- Sinha alleges that the award committee violated eligibility rules and says his book, Do Gulfamo Ki Teesri Kasam, should have received the honour.
Petitioner’s Argument
Authorities’ Response Pending
Whether the winning book fits the category
Petitioner’s Argument
Anant Prasad Sinha argues that a biography of Kishore Kumar may not qualify as the best book on Indian cinema under the award guidelines.
Authorities’ Response Pending
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the National Film Development Corporation have been asked to explain the selection and have not yet filed their detailed response.
Which book deserved the award
Petitioner’s Argument
Sinha says his book, Do Gulfamo Ki Teesri Kasam, satisfied the guidelines and should have received the honour.
Authorities’ Response Pending
The award jury selected Kishore Kumar: The Ultimate Biography, but the articles do not provide its detailed reasoning.
- Award category
- Best Book on Indian Cinema
- Winning book
- Kishore Kumar: The Ultimate Biography
- Authors
- Anirudha Bhattacharjee and Parthiv Dhar
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Challenged book
- Do Gulfamo Ki Teesri Kasam by Anant Prasad Sinha
- Award benefits
- Swarna Kamal and Rs 1,00,000
- Eligibility period
- Books published between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022
- Next hearing
- October 8