Modi government can destroy what they don’t like: ‘S Durga’maker

S Durga director Sanal Kumar Sasidharan, whose film was not screened at the 48th IFFI despite his best efforts, says the incident has proved how those in power can go to any extent to destroy something they don't like.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday, a day after the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) here wrapped up, Sasidharan wrote:

S Durga, a Malayalam movie, was initially dropped from a jury-suggested shortlist of the Indian Panorama section of the IFFI along with another film Nude, triggering controversy.

Sasidharan moved the Kerala High Court, which directed IFFI to screen the film at the festival after a censored version was screened for the jury. But fresh title-related issues raised by the Central Board for Film Certification (CBFC) on the gala's last day sealed the fate of the movie at the fest.

Shabana Azmi to be felicitated in Malaysia

Veteran actress and social activist Shabana Azmi will be felicitated by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak at a business leaders' conclave.

The actress, 67, left for the event on Tuesday evening. The conclave is slated for Wednesday and Thursday.

On the acting front, Shabana was last seen on the silver screen in The Black Prince, where she essayed the role of Maharani Jind Kaur.

Afghan a very special film for me: Adnan Sami

Singer-composer Adnan Sami, who is making his debut as an actor in the upcoming Indian film Afghan - In Search of a Home, says it is very close to his heart not only because of its story, but also for the music he has composed for it.

“Afghan is a very special film for me. The film is the story of an Afghan refugee and musically it is such an interesting film. The score of the film has given me the opportunity to experiment with various styles -- whether it is Afghan folk or different Indian music genres,” said Adnan.

The movie's story revolves around an Afghan refugee who is forced to leave his land and ends up in a shelter in India. The process of travelling through the country and how his life changes, forms the crux of the story.

Directed by Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru, the film Afghan - In Search of a Home is slated to release next year.