‘He Once Compared It to Lawrence of Arabia’: Blessy Slams Gowariker’s Shift on Aadujeevitham

Blessy Upset Over National Awards Snub, Questions Ashutosh Gowariker’s Shift in Stand on Aadujeevitham

Director Blessy has voiced his disappointment after Aadujeevitham – The Goat Life, starring Prithviraj Sukumaran, failed to win a single National Award. Speaking to OnManorama, Blessy questioned jury chairperson Ashutosh Gowariker’s change in opinion—especially after previously praising the film during its Oscars campaign.

“Back then, he said he hadn’t seen a desert portrayed so beautifully since Lawrence of Arabia,” Blessy recalled. “Now he claims the film had technical flaws? That’s contradictory.” The director said he turned down a lunch invitation from Gowariker due to prior commitments but admitted the recent feedback feels like a letdown after initial praise.

Jury’s View: Poor Adaptation, Missed Details

National Awards jury member Pradeep Nair defended the decision, stating that Gowariker had serious concerns about the film’s adaptation and execution when he saw it at a previous festival. “The performances didn’t feel authentic,” Nair added.

He revealed that while the film was shortlisted, it lost out in final discussions. Technical oversights—including the lack of English translations for songs—also cost the film in categories like Best Lyrics and Best Playback Singer.

Divided Response

While Aadujeevitham garnered international acclaim for its visuals and raw storytelling, its omission from the National Awards has reignited debate around jury transparency and consistency in standards.