#MeToo Effect: AIB’s Chintu Ka Birthday, Rajat Kapoor’s Kadakh Removed From Mumbai Film Festival’s Feature List

As the #MeToo movement on social media gains traction, Mumbai Academy of Moving Image’s (MAMI) Mumbai Film Festival has decided to drop two films from their lineup of screenings.

Rajat Kappor’s Kadakh and AIB’s Chintu Ka Birthday have been removed from the screening list at the 20th edition of the festival. The Indian Express quoted a statement from MAMI that says, “We as an Academy (MAMI) strongly support the #MeToo movement. In light of recent developments, we have decided to drop the following films from our line-up — AIB’s Chintu Ka Birthday and Rajat Kapoor’s Kadakh.”

It further said, “We want to use this opportunity to open up the conversation, and find solutions to harassment and sexual misconduct in the workplace. Starting with this edition of the festival, we would like to unite the community to find positive and constructive ways to deal with it.”

Rajat Kapoor has already issued an apology to the two women who deemed his [ast behaviour as inappropriate. AIB on the other hand on Monday (8 October) said that its CEO Tanmay Bhat will be ‘stepping away’ from his role at the group. All ties have been cut with Utsav Chakraborty, who is accused of sexual harassment by several women on social media.

AIB however, has denied ‘any violation of consent’ with respect to the allegations on its founding member Gursimran Khamba. He is on temporary leave.