Malayalam film Sexy Durga, which was mired in controversy over its title, found no place on the list of movies to be screened at the 48th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa this year.
The Sanal Kumar Sasidharan directorial, which won the Hivos Tiger Award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, was first denied entry at Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival. The film was retitled as S Durga and went on to win a special jury mention at the nineteenth edition of the MAMI festival.
Sanal Kumar Sasidharan posted his reaction on Facebook: "Finally, the Indian Panorama list is out! A lot of people connected to the inside circle of NFDC were telling me that Sexy Durga and Take Off are in the Panorama. But, as the press release was delayed, I guessed that the film would not be there. And finally, as expected, the film is removed from the list. Strange that I feel a wild happiness."
Meanwhile, Take Off, directed by Mahesh Narayanan, has been selected to the final list of feature films in the Indian Panorama at the Goa festival.
In the non-feature film category 8½ Intercuts- Life And Films Of KG George by Lijin Jose and Gi by Akhila Henry have been selected.
India's official entry to the Oscars, Newton, and the highest grosser till date in the country, Baahubali 2: The Conclusion, are among the 26 films selected for the IFFI.
Pihu, directed by Vinod Kapri, will open the feature film category of the Indian Panorama Section at the festival, where Rima Das's Assamese film Village Rockstar will also be screened, an official release said.
The festival, which is held in Goa every year, will run from November 20 to 28.