In the aftermath of recent controversies surrounding the National Film Awards, the film fraternity is advocating for a thorough examination and reform of the sound categories. The fervor for change stems from instances of confusion and protests, notably seen in the case of the Kannada feature film *Dollu*, where an award for Best Audiography raised questions due to the film being dubbed rather than using location sound.
The 69th National Film Awards in August further fueled the debate as discrepancies emerged in the non-feature film category. The award for Best Audiography went to Unni Krishnan for *Ek Tha Gaon* (Once Upon a Village), leading to revelations that the winner was one of only two eligible candidates, and the recipient’s name, Unni Krishnan, was not their actual name but Krishnanunni N R.
The ongoing controversies have prompted influential figures in the film industry to demand alignment with major international awards such as the Oscars and BAFTA. Resul Pookutty, the sole Indian to win an Oscar in the sound category, suggests streamlining the sound categories at the National Film Awards, proposing two awards for feature films: one for Sound Design and another for Sound Mixing. Pookutty emphasizes the need for parity with contemporary international standards, pointing out the disparity in the current categories dating back to guidelines from the 1970s.
Another proposal gaining traction is the consolidation of separate sound categories into a single award, similar to major international awards. This streamlined approach, followed by the Oscars, BAFTA, Cesar, and Goya awards, could eliminate confusion and controversies surrounding sound categories.
Nithin Lukose, a graduate of sound recording and design from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, argues for recognizing all contributors in the sound department, drawing parallels to a relay. Lukose recently filed a case in the Kerala High Court to challenge a sound category National Award, emphasizing the need for a fair and transparent decision-making process.
The film industry’s call for reform extends beyond award categories to the composition of the National Film Awards jury for sound categories. Experts propose an increase in the number of technical experts on the jury to a minimum of two, aligning with practices observed at the Oscars.
As the film fraternity awaits potential reforms, the overarching goal is to bring clarity, transparency, and international standards to the National Film Awards sound categories, fostering a fair and equitable recognition of excellence in cinema sound design and mixing.
