SC directs Bengal administration to resume screening of Anik Dutta's political satire Bhobishyoter Bhoot

Since the withdrawal of the film from the halls a month ago, in what was attributed to some direction from "higher authorities", the filmmaker and his cast and crew besides many creative people from Bengal- who are apparently not aligned to the ruling party-  took to streets with regular protests.

"Yes, the Supreme Court has given a direction to bring it back to screens, but I am not sure of the way forward yet. My producers will be able to say it. But the Supreme Court direction is strongly worded," the filmmaker told IBNS.

The top court bench of justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud directed the state's chief secretary and the police bosses to ensure that the film returns to the big screen after it was pulled off which many hall and multiplex owners attributed to a direction from the police. 

Meanwhile, the producers of the film in a media statement thanked everyone who stood by them in the past one month.

 "I would like to thank all cast, crew, artists, eminent people and the common man who raised their voice for Bhobishyoter Bhoot. Your support made it possible for bringing back BB. Today the Supreme Court has issued directive to the State to extend full support. It is not a personal victory but victoty of democracy. I will share a press release and the interim order in some time. My sincere thanks and gratitude to all of you," said Kalyanmoy Chatterjee, Co-producer, Bhobishyoter Bhoot, after the apex court direction.

Drawing sharp criticism, screening of director Anik Dutta's latest Bengali film Bhobishyoter Bhoot (Ghosts of the Future), reportedly a political satire from a filmmaker who was critical of the ruling government in West Bengal, was stopped across the state last month.

The incident occurred months after Dutta had raised his eyebrows over an excessive use of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's pictures at government-sponsored film and cultural centre, Nandan, during the 24th Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) in 2018.

The film, which was released on Feb 15, was stopped without any prior notice.

Dutta then said: "They have stopped screening after receiving instructions from higher authorities."

Reportedly, Bhobishyoter Bhoot has certain sequences of political satires.

Actor Kaushik Sen, who featured in the film and is also known for his political criticisms, had said: "We were not given any reason behind the step. We are clueless and shocked at how can something like this happen in West Bengal which is claimed to be a cultural capital."

Anik Dutta drew the wrath of the authorities when he had said during the November state-run film festival that the use of Mamata Banerjee's pictures all over at Nandan at an international film festival venue was not a visual pleasure.

In an article in ABP, the director, who earlier made the superhit Bhooter Bhabishyat (Future of the Ghosts) in 2012, had expressed his fear that he could face harassment for criticising the state government.

Sharp criticism followed the suspension of screening since the West Bengal Chief Minister herself is a vocal critic of the censorship of creative people under the regime of BJP-ruled central government and had accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of imposing an "Emergency" like situation on people and free speech. 

Bhobishyoter Bhoot, which is not a sequel to Bhooter Bhabishyat, has an ensemble cast.

Interestingly, the film also stars Moon Moon Sen, who is an MP of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).