Kolkata: ‘In Search of Buddha’, a Bengali short fiction film, is among 31 films yet to receive censor exemption for International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK).The film’s director, Saranyya Deyy, said his movie, set in the Naxal era, could not be screened at Nandan previously owing to delay in ministry approvals. The film follows filmmakers Atish and Deepankar, researching Buddha, an elusive Naxal leader, shrouded in forgotten history. Guided by a politician and a professor, their journey through fragmented recollections dismantles their initial assumptions. This exposes shifting truths, leaving them disillusioned with both their subject and the notion of definitive truth.In July, Deyy had sent this film for consideration at 9th South Asian Short Film Festival (SASFF). Organised by Eastern Region of Federation of Film Societies of India (FFSI), the festival was hosted at Nandan from July 3 to 9. Although his short film, starring Neel Mukherjee, Mayurakshi Sen, Sagnik Koley, Haridas Dey, with music by Panchajanya Dey and cinematography by Saikat Roy, was selected for the competitive section, it had to be pulled as the ministry clearance was not obtained in time. Addressing the concerns over screening clearances at IDSFFK, Union information and broadcasting ministry clarified permission was not outright denied to any of the selected films. In response to a review request, submitted by Kerala State Chalachitra Academy regarding 31 pending titles, the ministry explained that six films required more detailed synopses before processing could continue.Delays in securing ministry clearance have fuelled speculation on the film’s commentary on religion, governance and political movements. Rebutting the concerns, Deyy said, “We are surprised our film is struggling to secure approval. There is no critique of the govt, nor have we attacked any religion. While one dream sequence shows a Buddhist monk smoking, it is strictly surreal. We never intended to criticise the Naxal movement. Rather, we wanted to critique how contemporary filmmakers tend to romanticise it on screen.”
