Prakash Raj pushes for Palestinian films at BIFFes, Siddaramaiah stops short of commitment

Actor and filmmaker Prakash Raj, the brand ambassador of the 17th Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes), urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to take a stand against the Centre’s move and screen Palestinian films at BIFFes, during the inauguration of the festival

Actor and filmmaker Prakash Raj, the brand ambassador of the 17th Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes), urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to take a stand against the Centre’s move and screen Palestinian films at BIFFes, during the inauguration of the festival on Thursday.

However, Mr. Siddaramaiah did not commit to the screening, though he reiterated that one of the objectives of BIFFes is “to create a platform to understand global realities through films from across the world.”

The Chief Minister inaugurated the 17th BIFFes on the grand steps of the Vidhana Soudha, attended by Mr. Raj, Legislative Council Chairman Basavaraj S. Horatti, actor Rukmini Vasanth, chairperson of the Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy Sadhu Kokila, Congress MLA Rizwan Arshad, Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, and others. This year too witnessed low attendance from the Kannada film industry.

Mr. Raj, who unveiled the BIFFes promo, addressed the gathering and said the festival was launched 16 years ago with the spirit of a place like Ranganathittu, where birds from across the world arrive, but politics had now entered the festival and altered its purpose.

“Our Union government is not allowing us to screen Palestinian films. This has to be protested against, and as Chief Minister and as a government, you must take a stand,” Mr. Raj said, addressing Mr. Siddaramaiah.

He cited his experiences of listening to Sunita Williams, Abdulrazak Gurnah, and German speakers at a literature festival recently to emphasise how platforms such as film festivals bring together diverse opinions, experiences, and thoughts, helping human consciousness grow.