Why India-set, Oscar Eligible Santosh Has Been Facing CBFC Hurdle For A Year

Sandhya Suri's written and directed film Santosh is one of the most anticipated films, especially after its Oscar entry in the international feature category from the UK. However, it seems to be facing a setback in Indian release since mid-2024. India’s Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has now reportedly decided to block the release over concerns about its portrayal of misogyny, Islamophobia and violence in the Indian police force in the film.

Santosh faced a setback as CBFC blocked the release

The CBFC demanded numerous cuts, particularly criticising the depiction of police behaviour and sensitive social issues such as caste discrimination and police brutality, which are central themes of the film.

According to The Guardian, Sandhya Suri voiced her frustration with these demands, stating that the proposed edits were so extensive they would have fundamentally changed the essence of the film, undermining its original message and vision.

“It was very important to me that the film is released in India, so I did try to figure out if there was a way to make it work. But in the end, it was just too difficult to make those cuts and have a film that still made sense, let alone stayed true to its vision," she told The Guardian.

Suri further expressed her surprise, remarking, "It was surprising for all of us because I didn’t feel that these issues were particularly new to Indian cinema or hadn’t been raised before by other films.”

Interestingly, before production began, Suri submitted the script to the CBFC for review. At that stage, the board raised no objections and granted her permission to film in India, despite the sensitive content. This shift from initial approval to later censorship has sparked debates about censorship practices in India and the challenges filmmakers face in preserving their creative freedom.

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What Santosh is about and why is it concerning CBFC?

Santosh tells the story of a young widow who lives in north India and becomes a police officer to investigate the murder of a Dalit girl. The film addresses significant issues, including misogyny, caste discrimination, sexual violence, and Islamophobia. Despite tackling such bold themes, it received widespread international acclaim. Its premiere at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival drew praise for its compelling narrative and standout performances.

The film has also garnered attention in the global film industry, being selected as the UK's official entry for the Oscars in the international feature category. Additionally, Santosh secured a nomination for Best Debut Feature at the prestigious BAFTA Awards. Shahana Goswami, the lead actress, won the Best Actress award at the Asian Film Awards.