Tharoor Criticizes Bureaucracy as 19 Films Face IFFK Screening Delay

• 19 films face screening delays at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) due to lack of clearance from the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B).
• Congress MP Shashi Tharoor called the situation "deeply unfortunate" and intervened, leading to some clearances, but 19 films still await approval, now from the Ministry of External Affairs.
• Tharoor criticized the blocking of globally recognized films like "Battleship Potemkin" and Palestinian films, citing "cinematic illiteracy" and "bureaucratic over-cautiousness."
• The delay is caused by existing rules requiring a special exemption from the I&B Ministry for festival screenings of films without Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) approval.
• Filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan also criticized the decision, warning against judging films based on titles or perceived political themes.

Why It Matters: Bureaucracy hinders cultural exchange and artistic freedom at IFFK.