Thiruvananthapuram, Dec. 19 -- The 30th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) has become the center of a heated controversy after the union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) refused to grant censor-exemption certificates for a number of films selected for the festival.
The move has ignited protests from filmmakers and cultural figures, political criticism, and a strong pushback from the Kerala state government.
Festival regulations require that all films screened in India obtain a censor-exemption certificate, even when not intended for commercial release.
Festival organisers submitted all applications on time, but the Centre initially denied exemptions to 19 films, including globally acclaimed titles and politically ...