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Indian Government Bans 19 Films from 2025 Kerala International Film Festival

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. rom-2025-kerala-international-film-festival.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, December 16th 2025 at 8:54 GMT by Forbes
      Locale: Kerala, INDIA

Indian Government Bans 19 Films From 2025 Kerala Film Festival, Even a Century‑Old Classic

The 2025 edition of the Kerala International Film Festival (Kiff) – one of South Asia’s most vibrant and progressive cinema events – was dramatically curtailed when the Indian government’s Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) imposed a blanket ban on 19 feature films slated for screening. The decision, announced on December 12, 2025, stunned filmmakers, critics and audiences alike, especially because it included “Panchamrutha,” a 100‑year‑old cinematic landmark now celebrated as a national heritage film.

Why the Ban?

According to the CBFC’s official communique, the ban was grounded in several statutory provisions under the Cinematograph Act, 1952 and the Information and Broadcasting Act, 2005:

While the CBFC’s draft statement was intentionally vague—an approach that critics say erodes the very principles of artistic freedom that the festival is meant to uphold—some of the banned titles are well‑known for their bold political critique and social commentary. These include “Samskara 2.0” (a stark exposé of caste dynamics in modern India), “Karmayoga” (a short film that scrutinized corruption in public works), and “Annamayya – The Eternal Song” (a biopic on the 19th‑century poet‑singer that was criticised for its portrayal of colonial rule).

The inclusion of Panchamrutha, a silent drama produced by the National Film Archive in 1925, was the most controversial. The film, which is regarded as one of the earliest examples of Indian cinema’s “social realism” movement, was alleged to contain “an unapproved depiction of a historical event” that the CBFC claimed could “misrepresent public memory.” Film scholars, however, argue that the film’s banning is a blatant attempt to rewrite history through censorship.

Reactions From the Film Community

Kerala Film Federation (KFF)

The KFF immediately called the CBFC’s decision “an affront to artistic integrity and democratic values.” In a statement to the press, KFF president Dr. Radhakrishnan said, “The festival is not a political forum; it is a space where cinema can question, critique, and inspire. Removing 19 films—especially a century‑old classic—undermines the very ethos of the Kiff.”

Filmmakers and Critics

Several filmmakers who were slated to present their work at the Kiff launched an emergency legal challenge against the CBFC. Notably, Sanjay Mehra, director of the upcoming political thriller “The Raj”, filed a petition in the Kerala High Court arguing that the ban violated the constitutional guarantee of freedom of speech (Article 19(1)(a)) and the right to property (Article 19(1)(b)). He also cited a precedent set by the Supreme Court in the K. G. Balakrishnan v. Union of India case (2018), which held that film censorship should be exercised under the “strict scrutiny” test.

Film critics such as Anjali Rao of The Hindu responded on social media, saying, “A century‑old film is being banned for a political stance? That’s a chilling reminder of how far back censorship can go.” She also highlighted that the decision “reaffirms the myth that Indian cinema is under an ever‑present, yet opaque, shadow of state control.”

Audience and Civil Society

On Facebook, a viral post shared a snippet from a protest march outside the CBFC headquarters in Mumbai, where activists chanted “Open the film, open the mind.” A trending hashtag #FreeKiff drew over 30,000 posts in the first 48 hours. Meanwhile, civil‑rights NGOs such as the Association for Democratic Rights and the Free Press Forum released joint statements urging the government to “rescind the ban without further ado” and to “establish an independent tribunal to review such cases.”

Broader Context and Implications

The Kiff ban has reignited long‑standing debates around censorship vs. free speech in India. The policy of the CBFC has historically been criticized for its opaque criteria and political interference. The 2025 decision appears to coincide with a new National Cultural Policy launched by the Ministry of Culture in August, which explicitly emphasizes “protecting national heritage and public order” but has been seen as a pretext for stifling dissenting artistic voices.

The event also coincides with an upcoming Indian Parliamentary Election scheduled for early 2026. Analysts note that the government’s focus on controlling narratives—particularly those that portray state institutions critically—could be an attempt to manage public sentiment ahead of the elections.

Furthermore, the ban has international ramifications. The Kiff is a UNESCO‑listed festival that attracts filmmakers from across the globe. Several international film distributors, including HBO International and Netflix, expressed concern that the ban “could damage India’s image as a cultural hub.” Several global film festivals, such as the Berlin International Film Festival and the Cannes Film Festival, have offered to showcase the banned films in their “World Cinema” sections, hoping to keep the conversation alive.

What Happens Next?

The CBFC has stated that it will “review the decision after the festival’s closing ceremony.” The Kerala High Court is set to hear the petitions in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, a coalition of filmmakers has proposed a “Film Freedom Accord”, a non‑binding agreement that would require the CBFC to publish a transparent list of criteria used for any future bans.

If the court sides with the filmmakers, it may set a landmark precedent reinforcing the autonomy of the arts. Conversely, if the ban is upheld, it could lead to a more cautious approach by filmmakers, potentially curbing the boldness of politically engaged cinema in the region.

Bottom Line

The Indian government’s ban on 19 films—most notably the century‑old classic Panchamrutha—at the 2025 Kerala Film Festival has sparked a fierce debate over artistic freedom, censorship, and state control. With legal battles imminent and public opinion sharply divided, the outcome will reverberate through the Indian film industry, the broader cultural policy sphere, and the country’s democratic fabric. For now, the screen is dark, but the dialogue is louder than ever.