Now Kerala's Udta? Kathakali Director Takes Censor Board To Court

Thiruvananthapuram: A group of film directors and technicians from Kerala today staged a protest outside the censor board's office in Thiruvananthapuram protesting against cuts ordered in the film Kathakali, which has already been showcased and praised at some international film festivals.

The protest comes after a long-drawn controversy over deletions ordered by the film certification body for Anurag Kashyap's Udta Punjab, which finally released on Friday.

Kathakali director Saiju Kannanaikkal, 27, has said he is being forced to "cut the essence" of his film. He moved the High Court against the censor board last week.

Mr Kannanaikkal, who suffers from ankylosing spondylitis, says the movie is a "reflection" of his life. "Because of the costume, a Kathakali artist cannot move freely and is restrained. His expressions are his primary focus. Same is the case with me. I have struggled through life and now am struggling with the censor board," he told NDTV.

Mr Kannanaikkal claims the board is insisting on the removal of some portions, which, according to him, are the "soul" of his movie. He says he does not intend to create any controversy over his film, but "was forced to approach the court due to the adamant stand of the CBFC. I was told my film will not be certified unless I delete all 'objectionable' portions."

Board officials however have denied the charges saying say he went to the court without even responding to their letter.

The climax scene of the film shows the protagonist remove his Kathakali attire and cross the river as a symbolic mark of protest against the society. "What I showed in the film was essential to justify the story. But, the board could not understand the soul of the movie," he said.

Mr Kannanaikkal is an employee of the cooperative department of the state government and has made over 15 short films and documentaries. This was his first foray into the films category.

The film was shot in seven days and was partially crowd funded. A German woman also plays a role in it.

Udta Punjab - based on drug abuse in Punjab  - was almost blocked by the censor board, which demanded 89 cuts.  After producers challenged the order refusing to make so many edits, the Bombay High Court which ordered that the film be released with a single cut and three disclaimers.