KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday sought the view of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Directorate of Film Festivals on a petition filed by director Sanal Kumar Sasidharan challenging the exclusion of his movie- ‘S Durga’ from the 48th International Film Festival of India slated to be held in Goa from November 20 to 28. Sanal Kumar Sasidharan submitted that though the jury constituted as per the Indian Panorama Regulations had selected the feature film for screening in the fest, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting excluded the film.
The ministry has taken the decision without issuing any notice to him and citing any reason. He said the film received several accolades from film critics and artists. It was screened in several international film festivals, including the international film festival of Rotterdam. The film had won many international awards like Hivos Tiger Award 2017. The film was selected for screening in Golden Apricot Yeravan Film Festival held in Armenia.
He said there was an unwanted protest against the film, based on some misunderstanding of a section of people that the original title ‘Sexy Durga’ was referring to Goddess Durga.Without understanding the context, fundamentalist groups acting with ulterior motives opposed the film and even threatened the director. He submitted that the film has nothing against Goddess Durga or any other religious icons. The title of the movie was changed after the directive of the Central Board of Film Certification and later the film was certified as U/A.
Exclusion of the film from screening is arbitrary and the ministry has no authority to overrule the decision of the jury. As per Clause 8.5 of the Indian Panorama Regulations 2017, the decision of the jury is final. Apurva Asrani, a member of the jury, has publicly endorsed the merit of the petitioner’s film, the petition stated.Sanal submitted that chairman of the jury Sujoy Ghosh has resigned as the jury head, reportedly in protest against the Union Ministry’s arbitrary removal of the movie, overruling the decision of the jury.