‘Centre did not grant visas to four famous directors, their films could not be screened at IFFK'

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Apart from denying permission to films at the IFFK, the Centre also denied visas to four famous directors, said Chalachitra Akademy Chairman Resul Pookutty. Their films could not be screened at the film festival due to this. These were directors that Malayalees wanted to see the most, Resul Pookutty told media.

‘The Centre issued a notification denying permission to 187 films three days before the film festival. The problem was the opposition of the ministry of external affairs. Later, I met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and resolved the problem. I was in Dubai and came to Delhi for this. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also intervened in the problem and helped. The changes made by the Centre in the visa rules caused the delay in the procedures.

If a film is denied permission citing foreign policy, the academy is obliged to comply with it. The political decision of the state government is not relevant in this matter. That is why the denial of permission to six films was accepted. My absence did not affect the festival. I was always involved in the organization through video conference,' said Resul Pookutty.

The 30th International Film Festival of Kerala will conclude today. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the closing ceremony at 6 pm. The function, presided over by Minister Saji Cherian, will honor director Saeed Mirza, who has completed 50 years in cinema. The chief minister will present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Mauritanian director Abdurahman Sissako. Resul Pookutty will also attend the function.