New Delhi, Dec. 17 -- Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has described the controversy surrounding the ongoing 12th edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) as an "unfortunate development."

This came in the wake of the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting refusing screening permission for several films, leading to the cancellation of multiple screenings in Thiruvananthapuram.

Addressing mediapersons, Tharoor shared, "This is an unfortunate development. We have a very good tradition of respecting cinematic culture. We have had international film festivals in Goa and Kerala. Right now, it has come down to a list of seven films. But no film should be denied...Some of the earlier films that were banned or prevented from...