The 48th edition of International Film Festival of India has commenced on November 20 at Panjim with film personalities and other dignitaries converging from the world over. Unfortunately, this IFFI has been conspicuous by the protests and displeasures expressed by some producers on the highhandedness of the government, notably the Information and Broadcasting ministry, which has overruled the decision of the IFFI jury by rejecting two films – a Malayalam movie ‘S Durga’ originally named ‘Sexy Durga’ and a Marathi film ‘Nude’; despite the fact that the jury’s decision is final and cannot be overridden by the ministry without consulting it.
It is said that ‘Nude’ is a strong feminist film and ‘S Durga’, a movie with a strong message about women’s safety which had won awards in other international film festivals. It has become a fancy with all concerned to take shelter under the pretext that something or the other offends their religious sentiments. Are the two words nude and sexy proving to be anathema to our over religious inclinations? Are we regressing into a primitive society and want to be clubbed with the likes of Saudi Arabia?
It is argued that Durga is a goddess and hence the qualifying word degrades divinity. But let me ask one simple question – Aren’t there so many people in this world having the names of gods, goddesses and saints but have all sorts of blemishes against their names? Are we to advise people to change their names or to impose restrictions on naming the children at birth? It is disgusting that people have been raising cudgels at the slightest insinuations and the religion-savvy ruling dispensation at the Centre is ever willing to oblige creating distrust in the society.
Let us deviate a bit and focus on the film ‘Padmavati’ that was slated for release on December 1, but at the helm of unprecedented protests from many groups notably the Rajputs and the Kshtriyas the producers have agreed to postpone its screening. We agree that the film should not subvert history even at the cost of creative art highlighting the film. But that should be left to the scrutiny of CBFC.
It is a misplaced priority that the Rajasthan Chief Minister writes to I&B ministry that ‘Padmavati’ should not be released without making changes. It is the prerogative of CBFC to order changes to the film or even to reject it but the government should not interfere. Somehow BJP is finding itself on the wrong side on such issues which should be introspected.
