The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has stirred up yet another controversy by refusing to certify the trailer of Tamil film Neelam which is based on the Sri Lankan civil war.

According to a Facebook post by director Venkatesh Kumar, the CBFC worries that the film may put India-Sri Lanka relations at risk. “But they are not bothered about the lives lost in the Civil War?” he questions.

According to Janani K’s report in Deccan Chronicle, Neelam is about the rise of rebel groups in Sri Lanka and also traces how the civil war broke out. It chronicles the developments in this context from the 1960s to 2000.

The trailer cut of the film (4 minutes and 30 seconds) was submitted to the CBFC. However, the Board believes it may jeopardise the relationship between the two countries.

The film had earlier run into trouble in 2013 as well, S Subhakeerthana reported for The New Indian Express. The shooting was stalled because of threats to the filmmakers. “The producers (Renuka and Kishore) were not supportive,” Venkatesh said.