Satyajit Ray's documentary's official world premiere next week

After having been shrouded in controversies ever since it was made 40 years ago, the first official public screening of Satyajit Ray's documentary 'Sikkim' would be held here next week.

The docu's world premiere would be held on April 4, coinciding with the birth anniversary of the last Chogyal (king) of Sikkim, Palden Thondup Namgyal, who had produced the film in 1971, Art & Culture Trust (ACT) of Sikkim, who owns exclusive rights over the film, said.

The 57-minute documentary on the north-eastern state has been earlier screened at various places, including the Kolkata Film Festival, but none of the screenings were "officially recognised", said the NGO's managing trustee Ugyen Chopel.

"We hold exclusive rights of the film. Nobody took our permission when they screened the film elsewhere," he said.

The premiere would be attended by Governor Balmiki Prasad Singh, and Mumbai-based actor-director Tinu Anand, who had assisted Ray in the film.

An audiovisual presentation on the restoration of films prepared by Josef Lidner from the The Academy of Motion Pictures, Art and Science in California will also be screened on the occasion.

The trust also intends to arrange regular shows in cinema halls.

Ever since it was made by the Oscar-winning director in 1971, 'Sikkim' has always surrounded by controversies.

The Chogyals first banned the film after a few scenes went against their liking. When the Himalayan kingdom merged with India in 1975, the Indian government also banned it.

In the year 2000, the copyright of the film was transferred to the trust.

A damaged print of the film was restored by the Gangtok-based trust in 2002 with the support of The Academy of Motion Pictures, Art and Science in California.

Earlier in September, the ministry of external affairs had lifted the ban on the film, which the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) gave a 'U' certificate for unrestricted public viewing in 2002.

Last year, when the Kolkata Film Festival authorities wanted to screen the film, a Gangtok court put a stay order after the trust called it "unauthorised".