IFFK 2025: Kerala government defies Centre, shows ‘Battleship Potemkin’ and 18 films without CBFC approval
In this report from the 30th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), India Today’s Shibi Mol details the state government’s decision to defy the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The Pinarayi Vijayan administration has decided to screen 19 films which the Center had refused to clear, including Sergei Eisenstein’s classic ‘Battleship Potemkin’ and several Palestinian narratives like ‘Once Upon a Time in Gaza’ and ‘Wajib’. Shibi Mol says the state government has ‘challenged the Centre’ by saying that they will continue screening regardless of the permission. The move marks another escalation in the standoff between the Kerala government and the Union ministry over artistic freedom and censorship.
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Delhi pollution: Environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa apologises, blames previous AAP government
This Bureau report focuses on the serious air pollution crisis prevailing in the national capital. Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa issued a public apology, saying the government was ‘working hard to fix this issue’. The report highlights the implementation of strict anti-pollution measures, including a 50 percent work-from-home order and a ban on construction. While the minister blamed the ‘previous Aam Aadmi Party government’ for the mess, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra dismissed the apology as ‘too little, too late’.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa apologizes for pollution crisis, blames AAP for ‘illness’
In this special report, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa addresses the serious pollution crisis plaguing the national capital. Facing questions over whether the government’s actions were ‘too little, too late’, Sirsa apologized to Delhiites but stressed that fixing air quality is a long-term process. He says, ‘We do not want such inconvenience for the people of Delhi… but we can take long-term measures.’ The minister accused the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) administration of leaving behind a ‘pollution disease’ and highlighted corrective steps, including reclaiming 45 acres of landfill sites and implementing a strict ban on non-PUC vehicles. Sirsa also defended the decision on green crackers and discussed the political blame game and said the BJP government is working tirelessly to correct years of neglect.
India Today’s Aishwarya Paliwal: Government agrees to debate on air pollution in Lok Sabha tomorrow
In a significant development during the winter session, the government has agreed to a short-term discussion on air pollution in the Lok Sabha tomorrow. India Today’s Aishwarya Paliwal reports that Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav is ‘ready with his answer’ and will address the House on the government’s timeline and actions. The decision has been taken following demands from the opposition and allies, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju managing the programme. This debate ‘Ji.Ram Ji. Bill’ (Developed India Guarantee Bill for Rural Development) is expected to be passed.
Dhurandhar’s viral track ‘Shararat’ Singer Madhubanti Bagchi is becoming the voice of the new generation
We talked to Madhubanti Bagchi about her popular songs.