Taking everyone by surprise, the High Court of Andhra Pradesh orders actors Mohan Babu and Brahmanandam to surrender their ‘Padmashri’ titles. Passing the verdict on a petition by BJP senior leader N. Indra Sena Reddy, claiming that the actors have reportedly misused the title ‘Padmashri’, a National award as a prefix to their title credits in the film ‘Denikaina Ready’ (2013).
The petitioner refers to Article 18(1) of the India constitution which enunciates that any award conferred by the Centre to an individual cannot be used as a prefix. Addressing the petition, the state High court orders them to return the titles in a stipulated timeframe.
Dr. Mohan Babu was conferred ‘Padmashri’ in 2007 and Dr. Brahmanandam was given in the year 2009. Being senior actors and moreover responsible citizens of the country, everyone expect them to be wary of sensitive issues like these. Now, this has turned out to be an embarrassing moment for the duo! Padmashri cut for the ‘Padmashree’ [in Dookudu] himself! Irony!
