Film buffs and youth activists recently joined a sit-in protest here against the withdrawal of director Anik Dutta’s film “Bhobishyoter Bhoot” (Ghost of the Future) from almost all multiplexes and single screen theatres in West Bengal. Thespian Soumitra Chatterjee shot off a letter, calling the taking off of the film ‘vindictive’ and ‘undemocratic’, and a “fascist policy”. The film, a social and political satire that released to packed houses recently, was apparently taken off by the hall owners following “instructions from higher authorities”, Dutta said.

“Still, I haven’t got any official communication’ regarding the cancellation, all they (hall owners) said was that the instructions were from higher authorities. But I have received immense support and the film fraternity has shown great solidarity,” said the director of the 2012 blockbuster Bhooter Bhobishyot (Future of Ghosts).

The sit-in was organised by fans and Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) activists outside Star Theatre, one of the oldest commercial Bengali theatre. Dutta read out the letter sent by the veteran actor during the protest. Expressing shock, Chatterjee said it was a ‘vindictive act’ of the administration. He referred to the comment made by the director during the 24th Kolkata International Film Festival last November.