IFFI 2017: Director Ravi Jadhav slams I&B ministry for removing film Nude

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has come under severe criticism after it removed Marathi movie Nude and Malayalam film S Durga (which was earlier titled Sexy Durga) from the list of films to be screened at the Indian Panorama section at the 48th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa next month. 

Director of Nude, Ravi Jadhav, has reacted sharply on the development in a post on his Facebook page. “After a lot of years, a Marathi film would have had the honour of being the opening film at IFFI. I feel bad for the jury. Even after watching all movies, after giving all their time, if their decision is not to be considered final, what was the need to waste their time?” he asked.

Nude, starring Kalyani Mulay, is about the struggle of a woman who works as a nude model in Mumbai. 

Jadhav also slammed the I & B ministry for its decision. He added, “It’s really sad and disappointing. For whom should we make films? The audience or the ministry? Who will decide whether one should watch it or not? Audience or the ministry? It’s becoming difficult.” 

Last month, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) refused censor exemption to S Durga, which was titled Sexy Durga then, to be screened at the 19th Mumbai Film Festival as they believed the film might hurt religious sentiments. The film was cleared after 21 audio cuts and the change of title from Sexy Durga to S Durga.