The International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) is celebrating its silver jubilee this year, and its second leg began on a controversial note with verbal bashing by film personalities.

In the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, the event, which used to happen in the state's capital city, for the first time is spread across four venues - Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Thalassery and Palakkad.

The Kochi-leg opened on a sour note with popular award-winning actor Salim Kumar expressing his ire that he was not invited for the event, despite living in the district. The actor, whose political affinity towards the Congress party is well known, said it was hilarious to know that he was not invited because he was an 'old man'.

Salim Kumar, who won the national best actor award in 2010, is 50.

Clarifying on the situation, award-winning director and chairman of Kerala State Chalachitra Academy (KSCA), Kamal said, "He might have some political reason to create a controversy. I spoke to him for 30 minutes and said I would come and invite him to the event. But he was not willing. I once again apologise as the chairman, if there was any wrong done. I have convinced him that his fears are unfounded."

Meanwhile, the four venue concept had come under fire from several quarters. But with the raging pandemic, it was given the go-ahead. At each venue, films are to be screened in six movie halls where the audience capacity is to be limited to 50 per cent.