The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued a statement rejecting allegations by the Keralam government that it had denied permission to screen 31 movies at an international documentary and short film festival.
On Saturday, Keralam Culture Minister PC Vishnunadh alleged that the Union government had not provided reasons for denying the permission to screen the movies at the 18th International Documentary and Short Film Festival. However, the information and broadcasting ministry stated that it had only sent a list of films granted permission and asked for synopses for several films, which were submitted by Keralam the next day. The festival will be held between September 25 and September 30 at Thiruvananthapuram.
According to the Union government's statement on Monday, six films have been requested to provide more detailed synopses. Among these are Sanitised Republic: Cast(e) and Contracts, a film about the lives of sanitation workers employed at hospitals in Delhi during the Covid-19 pandemic. Other films on the list include Parliament Street, which explores public and personal memories associated with Delhi’s important road, and Put Your Soul On Your Hand and Walk, an Arabic-language documentary exploring life in Gaza.
In a statement, Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor expressed shock over the allegations and accused the Union government of betraying India's tradition of offering a home to world cinema and assaulting freedom of expression. The Congress leader added that the Union government risks shredding the country’s already frayed image globally amongst creative artists, filmmakers, writers, and those who want to admire their work.
In December 2025, the Kerala government directed the organisers of the 2025 International Film Festival of Kerala to go ahead with its full screening schedule despite the Union government having not granted permission for 14 films. The state government, led by the Left Front at the time, had accused the Union government of adopting an anti-democratic approach towards Kerala's progressive art and cultural tradition.
Source:
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