HC asks actors not to misuse Padma awards

• They should not use titles for commercial purpose in future
• Court to hear the matter after they publish their statements

Hyderabad: The High Court on Monday instructed Telugu film actors M Mohan Babu and K Brahmanandam to publish in leading papers that they would not misuse the ‘Padma Shri’ awards given to them for commercial purpose in future.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice Kalyan Jyoti Sen Gupta and Justice PV Sanjay Kumar adjourned the arguments on the issue to Thursday.

The Bench made it clear that the actors should publish in leading dailies that the action was not intended to gain mileage and also that they would not use their title in future as prescribed as a condition when the award was given. The Bench said that it would hear the writ petition after the said persons make paper publication.

The Bench also directed the producers of the film ‘Denikaina Ready’ to remove ‘Padma Shri’ from the credits and posters. Senior counsel Surinder Rao, appearing for Brahmanandam, told the court that there was no fault on the part of his client as he had written to the film maker to remove the said reference form the titles and the posters of the film.

The Bench also wanted to know the relationship between Manchu Vishnuvardhan Babu and Manchu Lakshmi, producers of the movie, with actor Mohan Babu. The counsel was asked to file an affidavit, explaining the relation and whether the producers were living with the actor or not.