Multiplex spokespersons initially claimed here were technical snags, then said 'higher ups' had called and asked for the film to be removed as it could 'cause law and order problems'.Sources said the calls had come from top police officers who could not be named.But filmmaker Anik Duttta, its producer and actors deemed it an attack on freedom of expression. But from the afternoon of the 16th, it simply disappeared from the multiplexes in the city and single screens, too. The producers had declined to oblige.Directed by Anik Dutta, the film was released with much fanfare on 15 February. But the Supreme Court today directed Mamata Banerjee's government to ensure that the film is screened without obstruction.The film, Bhobishyoter Bhoot - in English, The Ghost of the Future or The Past of the Future if you like - is labeled by those who have seen it as a dark satire on the state of politics and politicians of every hue in West Bengal.The Supreme Court has ordered the chief secretary and principal secretary to see that the film is screened.Chief minister Mamata Banerjee, when asked about the film's disappearance, had snapped, 'Don't ask me such questions.' The producers told Supreme Court the Censor Board had cleared the film and no one had the right to stop its screening.Just before the film's release, the Special Branch of West Bengal Police, had sought a special screening of the film as they had reports the film may lead to 'political law and order problems'. Instead, it is doing the very opposite.”Ĭiting legal constraints, the film’s producers did not make public a copy of the purported letter from the police till late on Saturday.Kolkata:The ghostly disappearance of a Bengali film from screens a day after its release is still an unsolved mystery. It is the duty and role of the police to offer protection to those who want to see the film and uphold the right to freedom of speech. This action devalues the certificate issued by the CBFC. Unninayar added: “We have been informed that the cinema halls had received instructions from the police for reasons beyond our comprehension. The film has been unceremoniously taken off the cinemas just one day after its release despite it running to packed houses.” Indira Unninayar, an advocate and co-producer of the film, said: “The film Bhobishyoter Bhoot is a socially relevant satire packed with wit and humour, and the public responded very favourably to it when it was released yesterday, terming it ‘mature’. “It’s a political satire and it pokes fun at every party,” said Sen, who has acted in the film.
I will try to find out what actually happened.”Īccording to filmmaker Datta, a Supreme Court order states that a film cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) needs no further clearance from any other agency.Īctor Koushik Sen and several others condemned the alleged crackdown on Bhobishyoter Bhoot. Officially, there was no statement from Lalbazar, the city police headquarters.Īsked about the row over the film and the alleged police action, Indranil Sen, minister of state for information and cultural affairs, said: “I have no idea. “Who says that (the police have intervened)?” he demanded to know. “The hall was almost full and the audience applauded several scenes,” she said.Ī source at INOX said the police had on Saturday morning asked for all shows of Datta’s film to be “halted immediately”, saying the content was political and that it could “instigate” people.Ī senior police officer who did not want to be named asked for proof that the cops were behind the move. They sought an explanation that was not available, triggering allegations about a gag on freedom of expression.Ī resident of Bhowanipore watched an evening show of the film at a Lake Mall multiplex. Those who had booked tickets received a refund, the source said.Īt INOX South City, a section of the audience protested aloud when told that the film would not be screened. The afternoon show at INOX Hiland Park was the first one to be stopped. The film had released on Friday to either full or near-full shows.Ī source said morning shows of the film were screened as scheduled on Saturday. No one told me why the film was being taken off,” he told Metro on Saturday evening.Ī spokesperson for INOX, the multiplex chain, said: “We have been asked to discontinue screenings keeping in mind the interest of guests.”
And after release, it is up to the audience to watch.
0 kommentar(er)
