Director Salim Ahamed said that he was not invited to the inaugural ceremony of the 25th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK).

“As a person residing in Ernakulam who has won national and state awards, I did not understand what qualification I did not have for being invited to the event,” Salim Ahamed said while speaking to Mathrubhumi News.

“If the eligibility to light the lamp at the event was to win national and state wards in the last 10 years, then surely I am qualified. I am not saying that I have made great films. There are much better films and filmmakers out there. But I have won 4 national and 3 state awards. So I believe that I was better qualified than the 24 persons who attended the event,” he said.

I was unaware of the function being held in Kochi. I came to watch movies and happened to see the inauguration ceremony and the people who were on the stage. Then I asked myself – why wasn’t I invited, said Salim Ahamed.

I had spoken to Kamal sir regarding this over the phone. He said that he was unaware that I was residing in Kochi. I told him that the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy had been sending letters in my Kochi address for the last 10 years, explained Salim Ahamed.

“I have been residing in Ernakulam for 20 years. My vote is in Ernakulam. I would not say that it was intentional or that I was not invited because of politics. But there has been a lack of clarity,” said Salim Ahamed.