Cuttack: After a day-long protest by a student group, authorities of Ravenshaw University in Odisha’s Cuttack city allowed the scheduled film festival to start at 10.30 am on Friday but without two films – Had Anhad and Gay India Matrimony- picked for screening at the event.
According to sources, the festival organised by the university’s Film Society was cancelled moments before its scheduled inauguration on Thursday over “threat call” against screening of the two movies. It was scheduled to be held from March 2 and March 4 at the main auditorium of Ravenshaw Convention Centre. Besides an exhibition on celebrated filmmaker Satyajit Ray, parallel session with directors, film scholars and resource persons were also planned during these three days.
Satyajit Ray’s masterpiece Pather Panchali and Charulata are among films to be screened.
Several students staged a demonstration in front of the office of the vice-chancellor against the decision to cancel the event with any explanation. They suspected an anonymous phone call against screening these two films to be the reason.
Vice-chancellor Sanjay K Nayak declined to speak on the issue.
Many opined that the authorities should have discussed this issue much prior to the beginning of the festival as last moment cancellation is an insult to guests and organisers.
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