IFFI should not be used to play political games: Resul Pokutty

"Why are they using this film festival as a playground for their political games?" questioned Oscar award winning sound designer Resul Pookutty. "IFFI should not be used for this." Resul, who was pretty excited about his first Marathi film that's a Goan production, is visibly upset that the film is not being screened at the festival anymore. A Rainy Day, film by Goan filmmaker Rajendra Talak, was supposed to be premiered at the ongoing film festival. However, it was suddenly shifted to the 'Goan films' section. "Not only that, they changed the screening dates suddenly too..." said Resul. "And I am glad that Talak decided not to show it," he added.Resul is currently busy with a Spielberg project and had decided to spare time for the screening with special permissions. "I am upset because I had adjusted my work schedule as per the original date - 25th - to attend the screening. But they just pre-poned it without consulting us or informing the producer! How unprofessional is that," he asked."For the first time an Indian producer-director had shown guts to say that he doesn't want any music but only sound....and he stuck to his guns till the end despite the budgets going higher thanks to it," informed Resul. "This film was a sound maker's dream. The most experimental film I have worked on or seen in India."The film festival should display and project local talent to the visitors according to Resul "That's what film fests all over the world do. But here....a good film by a local producer-director is being sidelined thanks to political pressures and total chaotic management. I am their knowledge partner. But I dislike the way they handle issues. We had shown them the film in time ad requested a good slot, which they promised....and then...they do this. How can they insult good work like this?" he asked.When contacted on this issue, producer-director Talak said, "I am riding high on the Oscar thrust....a Goan film maker has used an Oscar winning sound director...shouldn't that be showcased in a proper way to the international film fraternity? I hope the organisers learn a lesson from this and do something about it."