After a day-long protest by a student group, authorities of Ravenshaw University in Odisha’s Cuttack city allowed the scheduled film festival to start at 10.30 am on Friday but without two films – Had Anhad and Gay India Matrimony- picked for screening at the event.
According to sources, the festival organised by the university’s Film Society was cancelled moments before its scheduled inauguration on Thursday over “threat call” against screening of the two movies. It was scheduled to be held from March 2 and March 4 at the main auditorium of Ravenshaw Convention Centre. Besides an exhibition on celebrated filmmaker Satyajit Ray, parallel session with directors, film scholars and resource persons were also planned during these three days.
Earlier on 27 February 2023, the university had also published a notice regarding the film festival.
“The Ravenshaw University, under the aegis of the Cultural Council is organising Ravenshaw Film Festival 2023 from 02.03.2023 to 04.03.2023 from 11 AM to 8 PM at Main Auditorium, Ravenshaw Convention Centre. Parallel sessions with Directors, Film Scholars, Resource persons will be held at Annex —Ill. An Exhibition on Satyajit Ray will also be featured. Students are encouraged to participate in large numbers,” the notice read.
Satyajit Ray’s masterpiece Pather Panchali and Charulata are among films to be screened.
Vice-chancellor Sanjay K Nayak declined to speak on the reasons behind the last moment cancellation. The students said the varsity cancelled it following an anonymous phone call against screening these two films.
After students’ protest, the university authorities decided to start the programme from Friday without screening the two films.
