We must speak out in one voice against this creeping cultural intolerance: Anand Patwardhan

Kolkata: People from across India are coming out in support of the plea to release ‘Cosmic Sex’ at Nandan. From releasing statements to tweeting about the film, from discussions on Facebook to giving status updates on it – the Nandan screening controversy has become a topic of discussion among many.
Veteran documentary film-maker Anand Patwardhan e-mailed a statement to the film’s makers where he said: “The denial of screening space by Nandan to the acclaimed film ‘CS’ reeks of an abject surrender to the puritanical and bigoted censorship regime imposed by the current rulers of India.Even in states not controlled by them, the abject surrender is replicated. We must speak out in one voice against this creeping cultural intolerance.”
On Sunday, director of “Ship of Theseus” Anand Gandhi took to Facebook where he wrote: “Bengali film Cosmic Sex has been cleared by the censor board with an A certificate, and is apparently being blocked again by the state theatre. When every local state body feels empowered to censor, all discourse will die. Like it, pan it, but you can’t ban it. I am not recommending the film, as I haven't seen it yet, but I am fighting for my right to see it.”
Shyamal Karmakar, the head of the editing department of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, said Nandan should be a place for the young filmmakers who are working with new revolutionary and out-of-box ideas independent of the market-players. “This will help Bengali cinema grow. Once a certificate is given, one should check that children do not enter to see a film which is not conducive for their viewing. That is Nandan's job as well as that of their guardians. Stopping the film is no solution,” said Karmakar, who has directed the movie “I Am The Very Beautiful” about his relationship with a bar girl in Mumbai that explored the concept of “sexuality and the male world”.
Karmakar added that he had liked the film but had some reservations about it too. “It is preachy at times. I loved Rii's performance, Amitabh’s take on Gandhiji and cinematography by Rafey Mahmood. Partho’s sound design is of international standard. Amitabh is an urban Sufi. He was associated with Sufis too. This film is a result of that. He has put in his money into it. He should be supported. Instead, we support baseless male sexist films rampantly,” Karmakar said.
Another documentary film-maker Nishtha Jain who directed “Gulabi Gang” is appalled to hear about censorship. “By banning ‘CS’, Nandan is going against its own mandate of encouraging and facilitating cinematic awareness in society. I have watched ‘CS’. Apart from being aesthetically pleasing, it was enlightening too and can be a transformative experience for many,” she said.
Personally, Jain was not aware about the ‘Deha Tathya’ cult from Bengal till she watched this movie. “I’m sure that’s true for others too. I’m glad that Amitabh Chakraborty made this film. It’s a rare and brave film and it should be widely watched. By turning their back to ‘CS’, Nandan is turning its back to Bengal’s rich Sufi tradition and knowledge,” she said, adding that she supports the petition to the Chief Minister to get the film screened at Nandan.