Jury Member Maddineni Ramesh countered ace director Ram Gopal Varma's comments on Nandi awards, on Friday.

It may be recalled that RGV suggested Oscar awards for all the jury members who selected the recipients of Nandi awards. Countering him Nandi awards jury member Maddineni Ramesh said, "RGV feared the Mumbai mafia and hence shifted his base to Hyderabad." In the same vein, he said RGV himself received the Nandi awards from the then chief minister NT Rama Rao and he did not comment on any jury since then. He reminded about RGV's statements where he stated that he does not have any responsibility towards the society. "How did he suddenly his responsibility towards Nandi awards, the recipients and the society," Ramesh questioned and cautioned anyone from making further comments on Nandi awards and its jury members.

Responding to Maddineni Ramesh’s comments, Ram Gopal Varma said he is not concerned about the jury member scolding him. But he feels sorry for the government for selecting such a person as member for the Nandi awards committee. “I do not understand whether I should pity on the government for selecting such a persona as award committee member or wonder as such a person is member in awards committee” RGV said.

Later, Varma demanded the state government for an explanation on the controversy on the Nandi awards.

Also read:

RGV’s Tongue-In-Cheek Take On Nandi Awards