Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Centre Denies 31 Films Were Barred From Kerala Festival
A documentary festival in Kerala is waiting for clearance for some films.
Shashi Tharoor said 31 films had been denied permission and criticized the government.
He said this could hurt freedom of expression.
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry said no film had actually been denied permission.
It said six films need to provide more information.
Other films were sent to different government departments for review.
Government sources said most of the 347 films submitted had already received exemptions or were certified.
The festival is scheduled to take place in Thiruvananthapuram from September 25 to 30.
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry said no film was denied permission for the 18th IDSFFK.
The ministry said six films need detailed synopses and some are under review by sectoral authorities.
Government sources said 291 of 347 submitted films received certification exemptions, while 24 were already certified.
Twenty films were referred to the Ministry of External Affairs, one to Defence, four to Home Affairs and one to the CBFC.
Shashi Tharoor called the reported delay an assault on freedom of expression and urged Ashwini Vaishnaw to intervene.
- Who
- The Information and Broadcasting Ministry, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy and other reviewing authorities are involved.
- What
- A dispute arose over whether 31 films selected for the 18th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Keralam had been denied screening permission.
- When
- The controversy was reported on Monday, September 21; the festival is scheduled for September 25-30.
- Where
- The festival is scheduled in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
- Why
- The ministry said films were still under review, needed more detailed information or required certification exemptions before screening.
Critics of the delays
Government clarification
Whether films were denied permission
Critics of the delays
Shashi Tharoor and Kerala Culture Minister P C Vishnunadh said 31 selected films had not received clearance, with Tharoor describing the situation as an assault on freedom of expression.
Government clarification
The Information and Broadcasting Ministry said permission had not been denied to any film and that several films were still being considered.
Meaning of pending clearance
Critics of the delays
Tharoor argued that the reported decision departed from India’s tradition of providing a platform for international cinema and urged Ashwini Vaishnaw to intervene.
Government clarification
Government sources said films were undergoing routine processes, including certification exemptions, detailed scrutiny and referrals to relevant ministries or the CBFC.
Number of affected films
Critics of the delays
The controversy centered on claims that 31 films had not received permission, although Vishnunadh also said the Centre had not explicitly communicated that permission was denied.
Government clarification
Government figures listed 20 films referred to other authorities, one film sent to the CBFC and six requiring more details, accounting for 32 films in different stages of review.
- Festival
- 18th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Keralam (IDSFFK)
- Festival dates
- September 25-30
- Organiser
- Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, under the Kerala Department of Cultural Affairs
- Films submitted
- 347 films were submitted for exemption from certification requirements
- Exemptions issued
- 291 films received exemptions
- Already certified
- 24 films were certified and did not require exemptions
- Under review or awaiting details
- 20 films were referred to External Affairs, one to Defence, four to Home Affairs, one to the CBFC, and six required detailed synopses and screeners
- Disputed figure
- Reports referred to 31 films awaiting clearance, while government figures accounted for 32 films referred or awaiting additional details
