UPDATE: The film has finally been passed by the CBFC Revising Committee, but on the condition that its title be changed to S Durga.

Here’s our conversation with the director from last year:

48th International Film Festival of India: Smriti Irani’s ministry refuses to grant permission to screen Ravi Jadhav’s film Nude and Sanal Kumar Sasidharan’s film S Durga at IFFI 2017.

Film Sexy Durga is once again in news for finding a film festival’s door closed. But this time, I&B Ministry, headed by Smriti Irani, took an uninformed last moment call, and so not only the director but the jury, too, is rather upset with the decision. Ruchi Narain, a member of the IFFI Jury, expressed her resentment, “The final list that has come out does not match the list we submitted. Personally, I felt Nude and S Durga were stunning quality films which festival audiences would really appreciate.”

And Sanal was quoted saying, “I even heard that the I&B secretary had liked it and recommended it. But I had an inkling that this might happen, given that it was twice denied censor exemption. It was only screened at MAMI (Mumbai Academy of Moving Images) Film Festival earlier after the Censor Board passed it with a U/A certificate after I had changed the title to S Durga.”

IWB read his Facebook post, “Next time onwards a single member jury is enough. The Smriti Irani Jury!” and we feel it conveys an artist’s sheer dismay on the repeated disregard shown for his art.

Director Sanal Sasidharan moved the Kerala High Court while another jury member, Apurva Asrani, resigned saying “my conscience won’t allow me to participate in the festivities in Goa.” Earlier, jury chairperson Sujoy Ghosh stepped down after the Information and Broadcasting ministry pulled out the two films.

Here is the throwback to our conversation with Sanal:

“I made my first film in 2001, and for a long time, I continued without any support. It is only my passion for cinema and film-making that has driven me so far,” says Sanal Kumar Sasidharan, a Lawyer turned Filmmaker from Kerala, and a well-known name in the Malayalam Cinema.

For Sanal, cinema is a medium to experiment with the ways of narration, and he believes that not restricting himself to a pre-written script, gives him freedom, and also adds to his creative space and growth as an artist. So when Sexy Durga, his recent film, got questioned for its title, the artist took a stand for his individualism and artistic expressions and beliefs.

In India, for films to screen at a festival, an exemption from the I&B Ministry is required, and Sexy Durga was denied the same on the grounds of its apparently controversial title. With Sanal’s relentless efforts the film eventually earned the censored label, but then the Censor Board ordained for the title change. So the curious-fated Sexy Durga that has received accolades on all possible international platforms, is now called ‘Sxxx Durga’ and is all set to meet the Indian audience.

IWB caught up with Sanal a day before the screening of “Sxxx Durga” at MAMI Film Festival. Excerpts below:

Congratulations! Excited in anticipation of the home country’s audience response?

Ha-ha. Thank you! Though I am a bit sad that it is the mutilated version of Sexy Durga, “S Durga” that will be screened, and also a little apprehensive about the reactions of the Indian audience. I wonder what they must be expecting, because the film is not too straight, rather the kinds that are to be carefully watched and thought upon, which is the kind of cinema I believe in. In my view, a film that works instantly is forgotten also as quickly.

Yeah, we can understand. How about the support group but?

There are a whole lot of them whom I need to thank. It has been an overwhelming experience, the kind of support I received during my recent fight against the system. As you know, twice MAMI applied for the exemption of ‘Sexy Durga’, but was rejected both the times by the I&B Ministry. And then again recently, when Censor Board objected the title, saying it could hurt people’s “religious sentiments”. Which is what led to the mutilation of Sexy Durga, he stressed.

But I am really grateful for each and every person who stood by me, and to Mr. Anurag Kashyap, who rightly advocated for the Freedom of Speech and Art.

Why do you think people have trouble associating the word sexy with Goddesses? Doesn’t it speak of cultural suppression of female sexuality?

Exactly my question, but that’s our hypocrite society! My film was questioned, which was a clear case of over-looking because the ‘Durga’ in the title isn’t a reference to the Goddess Durga, but the name of the female character. The very people whose religious sentiments got hurt, sent me vulgar and threatening messages and called the actress slut. So I should assume that they must be safeguarding, and not harassing, teasing, molesting the women named after Durga and the other Goddesses at least?

“It is a clear reflection of the fallacies instilled in our culture, where one is taught to find mothers and sisters in all women. Why not give them the freedom to be lovers, too!”

True that. How did you conceive the idea of making ‘Sexy Durga’?

It was the Delhi rape incident, the Nirbhaya case, that had me thinking about the wrongs of society, and concerned about future! Simple questions which upon realization of the truth leave you overwhelmed. However much our country may speak of gender equality, but the deeply-rooted beliefs and conditioning that speak otherwise, won’t let men ever accept women as equal, irrespective of what they say on face.

Today the situation is such that a woman can’t trust anyone, she fears going out alone at night, carries a weapon in her bag. Whether or not she ever has to use it, there exists a need, and that is from where I drew the idea of Sexy Durga. Expectation of violence is being normalized, and the film questions it, while exploring the said mentality.

Tell us a little about the revamped ‘S Durga’ poster, too? What do the three bandaged, fresh bleeding wounds symbolize?

After the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) gave a directive to change the title, I could either comply with it or fight. And I decided to go with the former option because given the current social and juridical scenario, I knew that even filing a case might not get me a favourable verdict. Moreover the film would have lose its essence in the meantime. Being a lawyer, I advised myself not to get entangled in endless legal procedures. My only objective is to take the film to as many people.

About the poster, knowing the behind story now, you can very well understand what the fresh bullet wounds symbolize, he laughed.

Sanal was quoted saying, “The title Sexy Durga is being discussed more than ever before. I believe that art aims at provoking such discussions in the society. CBCF must have realized that their demand proved wrong.”

Ahem. So who is your Durga, and what is her story?

Durga is the protagonist of the film, a role played by ‘Angry Indian Goddesses’ fame Rajshri Deshpande, and she is on a road journey, more like on a runaway with her male friend, Kannan Nayar. On the way they seek help from some people, and the story revolves around the couple, those men, and the expected sense of passive violence.

And in what way do you redefine patriarchy?

Well, I don’t think that our patriarchal system is being driven by men alone, women also play an instrumental role. Mothers often play the role of a pioneer culprit by teaching their daughters to always “obey” the men of the family. But having said that, their such attitude is itself a reflection of the reality, of the deep-rooted patriarchal attitude. As absurd as it may sound, but people need to be brainwashed. And then rewired to be able to make efficient use of the freedom that is being sought by them today, otherwise, the repercussions will be dangerous.

“People need to live their own life, and not bother or interfere in others’. Only then will come some change.”

Is your wife an active contributor to your film-based societal endeavors?

She is a different individual, with professional inclinations of her own. So her contribution may not be direct, but significant, and so is her support. Being a husband, your view-bank expands to a great extent. And same holds true as a son. I am not a saint, I have my own issues, which well, could be perceived as that of a typical male’s, but I keep a constant check and am always working on myself.

Final views on the existing man-woman social inequality?

It is a sad truth that it is the viewpoint of men that gets an upper-hand in our society. Something that needs to be changed, yes, but there is a long way. And generally speaking, I don’t think a man’s intention can ever be trusted upon, he may be fighting for a woman, but his eyes could very well be on the scope of exploitation, too. Just as how you need to be a Dalit to understand their struggle, in the same manner, you need to be a woman to understand her situation. It is not empathy I am talking about, but the place she deserves.

“At one of the abroad screening venues, a woman from an audience shared that she could relate to the film’s story quite well, so the social inequality we’re talking about, is somewhere engraved in the human psychology.”  

Hmmm. How was the feedback otherwise at the abroad screenings, any instance of a feedback that perhaps hit home?

Oh, it was received extremely well. We’ve attended various film festivals, in Rotterdam, Mexico and Armenia. A lot of people gave positive feedback and shared their perspectives, which speaks about the beauty of keeping your cinema open and undefined.

Sexy Durga became the first Indian film in 23 years to win laurels at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) since the Tiger Awards were introduced.

IWB wishes Sanal and ‘Sexy Durga’ great success and an even wider reach. May more artists touch upon those nuisances of our society that need to be talked about!