The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has blocked the release of British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri’s film Santosh, citing concerns over its portrayal of misogyny, Islamophobia, and violence within the Indian police force. This decision comes despite the film’s accolades, including being the UK’s official entry for the 2025 Oscars in the International Feature category and a nomination for a BAFTA for Best Debut Feature this year.
Santosh tells the gripping story of a young widow who inherits her late husband’s role as a police officer and becomes embroiled in the investigation of a young Dalit girl’s murder. The film has garnered international acclaim, having premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, where it received widespread praise for its unflinching portrayal of societal issues.
Following the CBFC’s decision to block the film’s release, director Sandhya Suri expressed her disappointment, labeling the order “heartbreaking.” In an interview with The Guardian, she remarked, “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 censor board’s demands reportedly included extensive cuts that spanned several pages, focusing primarily on themes related to police conduct, misogyny, and broader societal issues. Suri stated, “It was just too difficult to make those cuts and have a film that still made sense, let alone stayed true to its vision.”
Actress Shahana Goswami, who portrays the titular character, echoed Suri’s sentiments, 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.”
Goswami, who recently won the Best Actress award at the Asian Film Awards for her role in Santosh, expressed sadness over the situation, noting, “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.”
Despite its critical acclaim, the film has faced challenges in its home country, where the CBFC has become increasingly stringent about content that depicts police violence and societal issues. Suri’s film, which tackles sensitive topics like caste discrimination and sexual violence, was inspired by the 2012 Delhi gang rape case, commonly known as the Nirbhaya case. Suri collaborated with Indian non-governmental organizations to ensure authenticity in the film’s narrative.
Reports indicate that the CBFC’s refusal to approve Santosh for release is part of a broader trend of censorship in India, where films addressing politically sensitive themes often face backlash. “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,” Suri said, emphasizing her commitment to ensuring that the film reaches the audience it was meant for.
While the film has been well-received internationally, with critics praising its realistic approach to difficult subjects, the CBFC’s decision highlights the tension between artistic expression and governmental oversight in India’s cinematic landscape. The board’s stringent measures have left many filmmakers questioning the future of storytelling in a climate where censorship is prevalent.
As of now, Santosh is available on the OTT platform MUBI in India, allowing audiences to access the film despite its theatrical release being blocked. Suri remains determined to fight the CBFC’s decision in court, stating, “All my work has been about India; one film was deeply nostalgic, another was super beautiful and sensual. Yes, this one shows another face of the country. But there’s humanity in everybody in this film.”
The film’s narrative, which offers a stark look at the realities of police brutality and societal discrimination, has resonated with audiences globally, making its absence from Indian cinemas all the more poignant. With no formal appeals process available to filmmakers facing CBFC rejections, the path forward remains uncertain, but Suri’s resolve to challenge the decision reflects the ongoing struggle for creative freedom in India.
