No real evidence of ‘S Durga’ being screened at IFFI: Director

By Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai, Nov 25 (IANS) IFFI organisers have asked "S Durga" director Sanal Kumar Sasidharan to submit a censored version of the film for consideration. But Sasidharan is not convinced about their intentions of actually screening the film.

He says they are wasting time as the festival will end on November 28.

"Sunit Tandon (director of the 48th International Film Festival of India) had no choice but to respond after the Kerala High Court instructed the IFFI to show my film. But there is no real evidence of the film being slotted or screened at IFFI even as the festivities in Panaji continue," Sasidharan said.

"Precious days are being squandered as we wait for the IFFI to follow court orders and screen my film," he added.

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday directed IFFI to screen "S Durga". IFFI organisers wrote to "S Durga" director on Friday asking him to submit a censored version of the film for consideration.

Sasidharan feels IFFI organisers are just dilly dallying the matter.

"If IFFI is sitting around waiting for the festival to be over without showing my film, then it would amount to contempt of court and I'll take legal action against the Ministry for Information and Broadcasting and the Government accordingly," he said.

Sasidharan is determined to see a closure to his fight against the exclusion of his film from Indian Panorama section of the festival.

"I don't care what the repercussions will be. My films may not be seen eligible for any recognition or privileges after this (fight). But for me, getting 'S Durga' the respect it deserves is more important than anything else."