IFFI Director refuses to comment on 'S Durga'

Pic Courtesy: Movie Still

Panaji: International Film Festival of India (IFFI) Director Sunit Tandon on Tuesday refused to comment on the Kerala High Court's direction to screen Malayalam film "S Durga" at the ongoing 48th IFFI, saying it would not be appropriate for him to do so.

After repeatedly avoiding media queries through the afternoon on the subject, Tandon evaded mediapersons seeking a comment from him vis-a-vis "S Durga", which -- along with Marathi film "Nude" -- was dropped by the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry from the screening schedule at the Indian Panorama, despite the jury's approval.

"It is not appropriate for me to comment," Tandon told reporters.

Asked whether the festival would be screening "S Durga" as directed by the Kerala High Court, Tandon said: "I cannot say anything."

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday ruled that the certified copy of the film should be screened at IFFI, one of the most prestigious film festivals of the country, after "S Durga" director Sanal Sashidharan approached the court over the controversial dropping of his film from the festival's screening schedule.