IIIT-Hyderabad cancels screening of Umar Khalid documentary

On September 18, a group of students at the International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad (IIIT-H) had proposed screening a documentary titled 'Prisoner No. 626710 is Present' without obtaining the necessary certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The CBFC had flagged the screening, citing the Cinematograph Act, which prohibits public exhibition of an uncertified film.

Upon learning of the unauthorized event, IIIT-H promptly cancelled the screening and reiterated that the proposed screening was not an Institute-organised or authorised event. The documentary's director, Lalit Vachani, noted that the cancellation took place after the CBFC raised the issue on social media platform X. IIIT-H emphasized that the cancellation of the screening was due to the lack of official permission and adherence to the required protocols.

The Institute further clarified that it has no association with the proposed screening and that any personal interactions between students and individuals outside the Institute should not be misconstrued as official events.