Section 5B(1) of Cinematograph Act, 1952 stipulates that a film may not be certified for public exhibition if it impacts friendly relations with foreign states. Indian distributor Manoj Nandwana responds to this.
By Mayur Lookhar
The first time this Hindustani writer heard The Voice of Hind Rajab, the name “Hind” naturally intrigued. Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania’s docudrama tells the tragic tale of 5-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab, killed along with family members by Israeli Defense Forces tank fire on January 29, 2024. The alleged culprits have been identified as Colonel/Lt. Col. Beni Aharon (401st Armored Brigade Commander), Lt. Col. Daniel Ella (52nd Armored Battalion Commander), Major Sean Glass (Vampire Empire Company Commander), and tank crew member Itay Cukierkopf.
After the car was ambushed, instantly killing her uncle Iyad Rajab, aunt Hanaa al-Agha, and three cousins (Rami, Diana, Rakan), Hind Rajab was badly injured and stayed on the call with Palestinian Red Crescent Society responders; her cousin Layan Hamadeh was also killed amid alleged IDF tank fire that reportedly involved around 335 bullets.
The Voice of Hind Rajab premiered at the 2025 Venice International Film Festival, where it received a 23-minute standing ovation and won the Grand Jury Prize. It was later nominated in the Best International Feature category at the Oscars. It has released in the US, France, Italy, Africa, Gulf states, and many parts of the world, but surprisingly, it is struggling to get a theatrical release in India.
Manoj Nandwana of Jai Viratra Entertainment Limited (JVEL) took on India distribution rights. Nandwana had approached the CBFC for certification in late February, as he eyed a March 6 release, nine days before the Oscars. He was in for a rude shock when the Central Board of Film Certification refused to certify the film fearing this film might impact India-Israel relations.
This has naturally led to furore in India, with many questioning the logic behind it. Nandwana had requested for the film to be viewed by a Revising Committee, but he hasn’t got a final word from the CBFC yet. When asked if he is contemplating legal action if the Revising Committee also rejects it, Nandwana told Beyond Bollywood, “Well, that depends on how long you (media, public) keep the movement alive.” He continues, “Look, this isn’t one man’s problem. The issue here is inconsistency in applying rules. One gets an award for The Kerala Story, but others are refused citing fear of communal disharmony, impacting diplomatic relations”
Given how the film has released in the US, Europe, and other Western countries without any reports of it impacting diplomatic relations, in fact, there is unconfirmed talk that private screenings were also held in Israel, it begs the question: What really is causing fear in the CBFC? Is there even any merit in their argument that it might affect India-Israel relations?
To be fair to the CBFC, such a guideline does exist, making certification difficult for certain films. Section 5B (1) of Cinematograph Act, 1952 stipulates that a film may not be certified for public exhibition if it impacts friendly relations with foreign states.
Here is the fine print.
5B. (1) A film shall not be certified for public exhibition if, in the opinion of the authority competent to grant the certificate, the film or any part of it is against the interests of 1[the sovereignty and integrity of India] the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or involves defamation or contempt of court or is likely to incite the commission of any offence.
Going by this guideline, it doesn’t appear that CBFC has done anything out of the rule book. But does this guideline apply to a film like The Voice of Hind Rajab?
“This film simply shows how a common man suffers during war. In fact, the war itself isn’t covered at all, no political statements are made, no India-Pakistan-like conflicts as in our films, nothing of the sort. It’s simply the tragic tale of this 5-year-old girl,” said Nandwana. The Indian distributor highlighted how this was one of many tragic tales from Gaza, but Hind Rajab’s story made global headlines because her uncle raised a cry for justice in Armenia and Germany.
Nandwana was eyeing a sizable release on 300 screens in India for this Hebrew-language film, also dubbed in English and Hindi. He submitted it to the Revising Committee on March 10 but his application is still pending. Judging by the growing social media support in India for justice for Hind Rajab, especially with the culprits identified, it would be a bold move for the Revising Committee to ignore public sentiment.
We leave you with a link of the final call between little Hind Rajab and Rana Faqih, a Palestinian Red Crescent Society responder.
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