We understand pain caused but had to stand with women who raised their voices: MAMI director on dropping films

Written by Priyanka Sharma | Mumbai | Published: October 25, 2018 11:08:19 pm

The 20th Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival will be held from October 25 to November 1.

The 20th edition of Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star has come under the scanner for dropping a few films from its lineup as they are backed by men, who have been accused of sexual harassment.

Some of the films that MAMI has dropped include Rajat Kapoors Ladakh, All India Bakchod (AIB) production Chintu Ka Birthday, Ere Gowda directorial Balekempa and Anurag Kashyaps production Bebaak.

The first person to criticise MAMIs decision to exclude films was Bebaak director Shazia Iqbal. Iqbal, in an open letter to the festival, argued that because of one person her film and whole team were now suffering, which she claimed was unfair.

This evening, as MAMI kicked off its latest edition, its director Anupama Chopra addressed the criticism and also talked about the MeToo movement.

“It (the movement) has forced all of us to look within and ask What could I have done differently? What changes now? We come to this edition with conflicted emotions. In solidarity with the MeToo movement, we decided to exclude certain films from the festival.

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“As filmmakers and film lovers, we understand and regret the pain we have caused. I want to personally apologise to all the people we have disappointed. But we are also hopeful that the decision we took – to stand with the women who had the courage to raise their voices – will lead to an environment that is constructive, inclusive and just,” Anupama Chopra said.

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