IFFI doesn't screen S Durga, director S Sasidharan protests in Goa

The refusal to screen Malayalam film S Durga at the ongoing International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa has sparked debates about artistic freedom in the country. Upset over the jury’s decision to drop the film from IFFI, director S Sasidharan had approached the Kerala High Court, and the body had issued an order directing the film festival to screen the film. Despite HC’s order, the movie was not given a slot for screening.

In a development, the Central Board of Film Certification has denied certification to the movie. Here is what the board had to say about the film:

Also read: Kerala HC rules in favour of ‘S Durga’, asks I&B Ministry to screen film at IFFI, Goa

Exasperated with the IFFI organisers’ arrogance and denial to screen S Durga, Sasidharan, in a Facebook post, said that the ‘drama happening in IFFI is really depressing’.

Read his post here:

In another post, Sasidharan wrote that the International Film Festival of Kerala has unofficially hinted they would screen the film. The director said he has not received a formal notification from the team, but would be glad if they screen a film which brought accolades to the Malayalam film industry.

Here is what his post stated:

Sasidharan’s fight with the organisers of IFFI has now taken a new turn with him protesting against the denial of permission to screen S Durga in the IFFI premises. Retaliating to the unpleasant episode, Sasidharan stood with a poster that read ‘Save Democracy’.

Also read: ‘My stepping down is my statement’: Sujoy Ghosh resigns as IFFI jury head after Nude, Sexy Durga dropped

Sasidharan was applauded by few on Twitter for not bowing down and continuing his fight for what he thinks is right.

As the curtains will be drawn on IFFI today, we wonder if any action will be taken against the authorities for defying court’s logic.

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