Aks an entry, Palekar opts out of national awards jury

Along with Palekar, Manmohan Mohapatra, Jayaprada, Rajeshwari Sachdev and Dolly Ahluwalia Tiwari have also voluntarily withdrawn from the exercise.

While Mohapatra walked out following doctor’s advice and a small token acknowledgement in a film, Jayaprada excused herself out because of time constraint. Sachdeva walked out for her role official entry Rahul, and Tiwari did the same for her costume design for Choo Lenge Aasman.

Ministry sources said Palekar was the first to withdraw when he saw Aks as an official entry. ‘‘We ask members about their work but it is not possible to keep track of the films they have worked in.’’