The Central Board of Film Certification has blocked the release of Sandhya Suri’s film, Santosh, in India. The film was the UK’s official entry to the Oscars this year. The film follows the story of Santosh, a young widow who accepts an opportunity to inherit her late husband’s job as a police officer in the rural badlands of India. Quickly taken under the wing of Sharma, she begins an investigation into a low-caste girl’s brutal murder that plunges her into a gritty world of crime and corruption.
Santosh portrays themes of caste discrimination, sexual violence, Islamophobia and police brutality. As per media reports, the CBFC has blocked the release of the film over concerns about its portrayal of violence in the police force, misogyny and Islamophobia.
Talking about the censor board’s decision, Shahana Goswami, who portrayed the titular character, said, “The censor has given a list of changes they require for the film to release and we as a team are not in agreement with the cuts as they would change the film too much, and so it is in a deadlock where it probably won’t release theatrically in India.”
The actress continued, “It’s just sad that something that has gone through censor approval at the script level should require so many cuts and changes for it to be considered okay to release in India.”
Santosh received critical acclaim at the 77th Cannes Film Festival and made it to the prestigious shortlist as the United Kingdom’s official submission for the 97th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category.
Back in December 2024, Shahana had penned an emotional note when the film was shortlisted for the Oscars. Her post read, “So happy for the team especially our writer director Sandhya Suri for this little glory of recognition for our film Santosh! How incredible to be shortlisted from amongst 85 films. Thank you to everyone who loved it, supported it and voted for it.” Besides Shahana Goswami, the film also stars Sunita Rajwar, Sanjay Bishnoi, Kushal Dubey, Nawal Shukla and Pratibha Awasthi.
See Also: Santosh: Sandhya Suri’s Oscar Nominated Film To Premiere in India
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