Mumbai, Nov 14 (PTI) Filmmaker Sujoy Ghosh says he hasresigned as head of the jury of IFFI's Indian Panorama sectionfollowing the controversy over the removal of two films fromthe final selection.
Overruling the recommendation of the 13-member jury, theinformation and broadcasting ministry pulled out Malayalammovie "S Durga" and Marathi film "Nude" from the 48th editionof the film festival, to be held in Goa from November 20 to28.
Asked if he has resigned as jury head in the wake of thecontroversy, Ghosh told PTI, "Yes, but I canÂ’t say anythingmore than that right now."Several jury members expressed their displeasure over theministry's move to drop the films from the list theysubmitted. It was an unprecedented move, a jury member said onthe condition of anonymity.
The jury submitted its list to the ministry on September20-21, but the line-up was made public only recently andwithout the name of the two films, a member disclosed.
The ministry did not respond to the reports.
"S Durga", which was earlier titled "Sexy Durga", is aroad movie that follows the horrifying experience of twohitchhikers, a man and a woman, at the hands of two men. Itwon the Hivos Tiger Award in the International Film FestivalRotterdam 2017.
"Nude" depicts the struggle of a woman secretly workingas a nude model in Mumbai.
Both directors told PTI they were shocked anddisappointed by the ministry's decision.
"S Durga" director Sanal Kumar Sasidharan said he wouldapproach the court after this "clever move" by the ministry.
"They are supposed to publish the list two-three weeksbefore the festival begins but they delayed it on purpose," hesaid.
"Nude" director Ravi Jadhav was equally upset.
"Give me some reason at least. It was selected as theopening film. It was a big honour. I am really disappointedand shocked to hear that it has been dropped," he said.
PTI JUR BK RBMIN.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.