The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has denied theatrical release for the award-winning movie Santosh, citing concerns over its depiction of misogyny, caste discrimination, and police brutality. Set in North India, British-Indian film Santosh follows a young widow who joins the police force and investigates the murder of a Dalit girl. The film explores deep-rooted biases in law enforcement, mistreatment of marginalized communities, and the normalization of custodial torture. It also addresses the rising tide of Islamophobia and the broader issue of sexual violence in India.
Despite its hard-hitting themes, Santosh has been widely celebrated on the global stage. It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, was selected as the UK’s official entry for the Oscars in the international feature category, and earned a BAFTA nomination for Best Debut Feature. Lead female actor Shahana Goswami won Best Actress at the Asian Film Awards, and the film received high praise from international critics.
However, even though it was filmed entirely in India with a Hindi-speaking cast, the CBFC refused to approve its release. The decision came as a shock to Suri, who had previously submitted the script without facing objections. India’s largest cinema chain had also agreed to distribute the film. As reported by The Guardian, Suri called the CBFC’s decision “disappointing and heartbreaking,” stating, “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.”
The CBFC reportedly demanded extensive edits, spanning multiple pages, that would have fundamentally altered the film’s core themes. Suri admitted that she had tried to find a way to comply with the board’s requirements but ultimately found it “impossible” to make the cuts while preserving the film’s integrity. “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,” she explained. “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.”
Suri emphasized that while Santosh presents an unfiltered view of law enforcement, it does not sensationalize violence. “I don’t feel my film glorifies violence in a way that many other films focusing on the police have done. There’s nothing sensationalist about it.” The film was inspired by the infamous 2012 Delhi gang rape case, commonly known as the Nirbhaya case. Suri worked closely with Indian NGOs to ensure the story was authentic and rooted in real-life experiences.
Currently, there is no formal appeals process once the CBFC denies certification. Filmmakers must take legal action to challenge the decision, a route that is both costly and uncertain. Suri has not ruled out a legal battle but remains determined to bring Santosh to Indian audiences. Despite the challenges, Suri remains hopeful. “All my work has been about India; one film was deeply nostalgic, another was super beautiful and sensual,” she said. “Yes, this one shows another face of the country. But there’s humanity in everybody in this film.”
In a statement to The Guardian, Suri expressed her disappointment regarding the CBFC's decision, noting that the extensive cuts demanded were so radical that they would alter the essence of the film. “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,” she reiterated.
The CBFC's decision has sparked outrage among filmmakers and critics alike. Some industry insiders have voiced their concerns over the board's approach to censorship, arguing that it stifles creativity and hinders important discussions about social issues. Ramesh Patange, a CBFC board member, stated, “I attend movie reviews once a month, and my role is limited to that. Only the chairman is privy to the board’s day-to-day functioning.”
Vivek Agnihotri, another board member, expressed his distress over the censorship, stating, “Only an insecure society censors art in any form. Art, creativity, and literature form the soup that nourishes society. Without it, a society cannot grow.” He emphasized the importance of allowing films like Santosh to be viewed and discussed, as they tackle crucial societal issues.
Despite the hurdles, the film's team remains steadfast in their commitment to share Santosh with audiences. Shahana Goswami, the lead actress, shared her thoughts on the situation, stating, “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.”
She added, “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.” With no direct process to appeal the CBFC's rejection, filmmakers like Suri face a daunting task ahead. The only recourse is to pursue legal action, which poses its own challenges.
While Santosh may not be released theatrically in India, it is available for streaming on the OTT platform MUBI. This avenue allows the film to reach audiences, albeit in a different format. As the debate over censorship and artistic expression continues, Santosh stands as a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of addressing pressing social issues through cinema.
