Is BJP Launching a Parallel Film Festival in Kolkata?

Kolkata, Sep 6 (NationPress) Amidst the prohibition on screening Vivek Agnihotri directed “The Bengal Files” in West Bengal—an issue reminiscent of previous film bans due to the “negative approach” of the Mamata Banerjee-led government—the BJP's state unit is gearing up to initiate its own parallel film festival in the city, prominently featuring films that have encountered screening challenges.

A member of the BJP’s state committee in West Bengal revealed that the two actor-turned-BJP leaders, Roopa Ganguly and Rudranil Ghosh, are spearheading this initiative.

“The festival will certainly spotlight those movies that have previously faced screening obstacles in Kolkata. Additionally, it will showcase a selection of acclaimed national and international films,” the committee member stated.

He further mentioned that the central party leadership has already approved a proposal for this venture, expressing enthusiasm for the project. The date for the inaugural event will be announced soon.

According to Rudranil Ghosh, directors who delve into the darker aspects of the state under the current or past regimes often face backlash from the state government, resulting in screening issues.

“The residents of West Bengal deserve a platform to exercise their rights to view films that have received proper clearance from censorship authorities. We aim to create a window for the public, establishing a genuinely democratic space,” Ghosh emphasized.

Some political observers view this proposed event by the BJP as a response to the annual Kolkata International Film Festival (FIFF), organized in the city each year.

Recently, actress and producer of “The Bengal Files”, Pallavi Joshi, who is also married to director Vivek Agnihotri, penned an open letter to Indian President Droupadi Murmu, urging intervention to facilitate the movie's release in West Bengal. Joshi had previously sent a similar letter to Mamata Banerjee.

This is not the first instance of a film, displeasing to Mamata Banerjee, encountering a screening ban in West Bengal. Previously, the Sudipto Sen-directed The Kerala Story was also denied a theatrical release despite a court ruling.

Earlier this week, BJP’s Information Technology Cell chief and the party’s central observer for West Bengal, Amit Malviya, asserted that under the Trinamool Congress regime led by Mamata Banerjee, the banning of films has become a frequent occurrence when the subject matter does not align with the ruling party's preferences.

“Mamata Banerjee’s politics of appeasement has reached absurd levels. It’s akin to riding a tiger—she is neither able to dismount nor control it without being consumed,” Malviya remarked.