Mumbai, Dec. 11 -- Well-known Bengali filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh skipped the International Film Festival of Marrakech, where his latest offering "Abohoman" was to be screened, because the film's leading lady Mamta Shankar was not allowed to accompany him.

"It's true that I wanted Mamta to come along since she's the film's leading lady. And yes, she didn't get to go," Ghosh told IANS.

The director said another reason was that he wasn't up to the long trip so he missed the fest.

"But besides that it's a very long and tiring journey to Marrakech. I'd have to travel to Dubai first and halt there ...