Priyanka's Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Award: Ashok Shekhar issues clarification

Mumbai: Ashok Shekhar, son of actor Chandrashekhar, had recently revealed that Priyanka Chopra will be receiving the Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Award in the category of Internationally Acclaimed Actress Award.

“Yes, we have decided to introduce a fresh category in the awards list — Internationally Acclaimed Actress Award. There are no two ways about the fact that Priyanka Chopra is the only actress who truly deserves this award. She has consented for the same,” he had told Deccan Chronicle in an interview where his designation was mentioned as Chairman of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award show committee.

However, when the news started spreading around, Ganesh Jain, the Chairperson of the Academy, was quoted as saying, “I am appalled by what’s doing the rounds in the news today, it’s true that Priyanka will be receiving an award in the new category but Ashok Shekhar claiming himself as Chairman of the Dadasaheb Phalke Academy is not true in any manner.”

Ashok Shekar has now issued a clarification, stating that his position was never mentioned as the Chairman of the Dadasaheb Phalke Academy in the report, and has also shared his letter of appointment as the Chairman of the Award show committee, the same as what was mentioned in the article.

Here’s his full statement:

Some Press had already published without clarifying from me about the fact that Ashok is falsely claiming to be the Chairman of Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Awards. By doing so, they defamed me and my reputation is at stake.

The fact is that I have been assigned the post of Chairman Show Committee of Dadasaheb Phalke Academy. The letter is signed Mr. Dharminder Mehra Hon. Gen. Secretary. The copy of the letter is attached herewith.

In the article published in Deccan Chronicle and Asian Age, nowhere it is written that Ashok Shekhar is the Chairman of the Dadasaheb Phalke Academy. It clearly says Chairman Award Committee, which also in other words means Show Committee.

I have been signing all letters to awardees and Guest of Honour on Dadasaheb Phalke Academy letterhead prepared from their office as Chairman Show Committee.

I am really hurt and need an apology for spoiling my reputation. Also need all papers and other places wherever it's published to rectify the same.

I am the son of veteran actor Chandrashekhar Ji and a reputed person, working in the Entertainment Industry for the past 44 years as a producer of number of Television shows and I also run an Event Management and Celebrity Management company. I am the proprietor and have been doing shows in India and abroad.

You can guess yourself who is right and who is wrong.