Bone of contention: hashtags FOLLOWING THE letter "S"
PTI
Panaji
Controversial movie ‘S Durga' was refused screening at IFFI 2017 which concluded on November 28, after the censor board ordered the Malayalam film be re-examined over alleged violation of rules, thwarting another attempt by its director who said it was contempt of court.
A screening of the censored version of the film was held for the jury on Monday evening at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) here and in a letter dated November 28, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) wrote to the producers asking them to resubmit the movie, which was earlier given a U/A certificate. The movie is directed by Sanal Kumar Sasidharan.
The bone of contention for screening at the IFFI in Goa appears to be the hashtags that follow the letter "S" in the revised title of the movie, which was earlier named "Sexy Durga".
"It appears that you have prima facie, deliberately violated Rule 33 of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983 and hence invocation of Section 5E(1) (i) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 may be considered. In this connection, I am directed to inform you that the above film will be re-examined under the provision of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 and Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 1983, with the date and venue being notified to you soon," said the letter, addressed to Shaji Mathew, the producer of the film.
The letter stated that the board had "received complaints from the IFFI jury at Goa over the title of the film".
According to the letter, the director had shown "S### Durga" on the title card which the board says "has totally different implications and are effectively undermining and attempting to defeat the very basis of the title registration and changes effected thereby".
The CBFC said the makers cannot exhibit the film further until the board re-examines it. It said a suitable date and time will be conveyed to the makers soon.
Immediately after the CBFC order, IFFI director Sunit Tandon wrote to Sanal, notifying him that the movie will not be showcased. "This is to inform you that all steps were taken to ensure compliance with the hon'ble court's order and a screening of the certified version of your film ‘S Durga' was arranged last evening for the feature film jury for the Indian Panorama 2017 as duly constituted by the I&B. Following the screening, certain issues related to the certification of the film with reference to the title of the film were raised. This was referred to the CBFC for clarification."
Reacting to the development, Sanal said it is not about a film anymore.
"This is a real danger that we are facing in our society now, an indication of what is yet to come," he told PTI.
"Now onwards if you make a film which the government does not like then they are not going to allow you to screen it anywhere. It is a fact. This is what they wanted. They probably don't want me to release the film in the state's theatres," he said.
Sanal said there is nothing he can do right now. "The only resort we have is the judicial system and the government is so brazen that they are saying we are not going to obey even if judiciary has passed an order. We will do whatever we want. We can quash the order.What they did last night was, they got four new members in the jury without giving any information. It is an unusual procedure, totally illegal. Based on that decision, those people are saying that the film cannot be screened.
"It is a contempt of court. This will become the debate of artistic freedom," he said.
