In what is being seen as yet another instance of governmental censorship of creative expression in film, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has refused to exempt the Malayalam film Sexy Durga. Without the exemption, the independent film by Sanal Kumar Sasidharan cannot be screened at the upcoming Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star.

A film needs an exemption from the I&B Ministry in order to be screened at film festivals without certification from the Central Board of Film Certification.

According to a Facebook post by Thiruvananthapuram-based director Sasidharan on Tuesday, the Ministry has received “several grievances against its title”.

“Ministry is of the view that, it may affect the law and order as it hurts the religious sentiments, 'Durga' being a principal Hindu Goddess. The applicant, however, may approach the Central Board of Film Certification for certification of this film in normal course instead of seeking exemption,” the response added.