KANNUR: Controversial Malayalam film 'Ka Bodyscapes', made by US-based filmmaker Jayan Cherian, is again in the news, as the Information and Broadcasting Ministry of India has refused permission to screen it at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), though it was selected for the festival.
Though there is a provision to give permission for the screening of the films without censor certificates, which is the discretion of the I&B Ministry, the application for 'Ka Bodyscapes' was rejected while all other movies got clearance, said the director. The
Central Board of Film Certification (
CBFC
) had earlier rejected certificate to the film and it is yet to consider a high court order in this regard.
"Interestingly, the high court of Kerala had ordered the revising committee of the CBFC on September 27 to issue the certificate within 30 days after reviewing the earlier decision of not certifying it for public screening, but the CBFC has not responded at all, which amounts to contempt of court," said Jayan. He said he would move the court once again to get the permission to exhibit the film at the IFFK.
The authorities insist that films screened at all festivals should have CBFC certification or an exemption from the I&B Ministry, which is applicable to foreign films as well.
When contacted,
Kerala State Chalachithra Academy
secretary
Mahesh B Panju
said there were 170 films, both Indian and foreign, which applied for I&B Ministry's permission, as they did not have censor certificate, but only this film was rejected.
"In this condition, we are helpless because the rules do not allow us to screen a film without censor certificate or the permission from the ministry, so we have given the director time till November 25 to procure the required certificates so that it could be exhibited," he said.
In the earlier order, the high court had said that looking at one or two scenes or expressions in the film, it cannot be said the film offends religious sentiments or it is vulgar and obscene, said Jayan Cherian
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