Lack of I&B Ministry clearance: Malayalam documentary filmmaker Ramdas Kadavallur’s ‘Sathyapullu’ at Kolkata festival cancelled
The filmmaker told The Hindu that it is deeply concerning that a film which strives to examine both history and the present with close, meticulous attention has met with such a fate
The film screening of Malayalam documentary filmmaker Ramdas Kadavallur's Sathyapullu, set to take place on September 9 at the 5th World Film Festival in Kolkata, was unfortunately cancelled due to a lack of clearance from the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry. The filmmaker expressed his deep concern over the cancellation of a film that thoroughly examines both history and the present with meticulous attention.
Sathyapullu revolves around the experiences of a young woman named Rashida Nazriya, her struggles with depression, romantic life, and observations. The film draws inspiration from notes published by Rashida as a writer, poems by Anwar Ali, and the metaphor of a train representing refugee experience and forced migration. Kadavallur stated that the film, like his previous works, possesses a political dimension rooted in humanistic stance, democratic convictions, and concern for minority communities.
He criticized the current state of film screening, highlighting how censors now control what can be screened, which he views as an act of political intolerance and encroachment upon democratic, constitutional, and civil rights. Film critic and coordinator Premendra Mazumder acknowledged that the screening has not been cancelled but noted that approval from the I&B Ministry is still pending.
He mentioned that screenings at Nandan, the venue of the festival, depend on the permission of the Ministry, and such approvals have been delayed lately.
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