Controversy surrounding IFFK refuses to die down, as Congress leader and AICC Secretary P C Vishnunath lashed out the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) after national award-winning actor Surabhi Lakshmi was denied a delegate pass to the festival.
Vishnunath’s comment comes just days after Surabhi alleged that she was neither invited nor given a delegate pass to attend the festival.
In an interview to Mathrubhumi, Vishnunath said that by not voicing their support for Surabhi, the organization has become Women Selective and not a Women Collective.
“We are all proud of IFFK, but the controversy regarding actor Surabhi’s statement on her denial of a delegate pass and her film Minnaminungu shows IFFK in bad light. I was disappointed by how some of the officials reacted to it, and how others chose to remain silent. That is why I decided to speak up”, said Vishnunath.
Kerala Chalachitra Academy chairman Kamal had responded to Surabhi’s statement earlier this week. “There are many people who have got National and State awards, but IFFK has never honoured any of the winners. The Academy itself conducts a separate function called the National Film Festival, where all the National Award winners are honoured every year,” said Kamal.
“Kamal’s statement that it is not necessary to personally invite Surabhi is unfortunate. She is an actor who brought the National Best Actress award to the state after 14 years. It was IFFK’s responsibility to honour her”, Vishnunath added.
Lambasting the WCC, Vishnunath said, “Actor Parvathy was honoured at IFFK for winning the Best Actress title at IFFI. I don’t have anything against Parvathy, but will only actors with star value get honoured at IFFK? Why wasn't Surabhi honoured then?” he asked.
Surabhi alleged that she was denied a delegate pass and did not receive a formal invitation from IFFK officials. The actor had also raised her concerns about her film Minnaminingu not being featured in the film festival.