The 2024 Hindi film Santosh, directed by British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri, will not see a theatrical release in India after the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) allegedly sought substantial cuts that filmmakers deemed unacceptable. The film, which explores caste discrimination, sexual violence, Islamophobia, and police brutality, had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival and was the UK’s official submission for the Oscars 2025.
According to a crew member, the CBFC’s list of edits, issued in January or February, included changes to character names to avoid certain caste representations. The board did not provide justifications for the cuts, and negotiations were reportedly not an option. While the film was not outright banned, the requested changes would have altered its essence, leading the filmmakers to withdraw it from release.
CBFC chairperson Prasoon Joshi did not respond to requests for comment. Director Sandhya Suri expressed disappointment, stating that the themes of Santosh were not new to Indian cinema and that the decision was unexpected. She emphasized that the film did not glorify violence but instead aimed for a nuanced portrayal of law enforcement. "It was very important to me that the film be released in India, but making the requested cuts would have compromised its vision," she told The Guardian.
The film has received international recognition, with Suri winning Best New Director and lead actress Shahana Goswami earning Best Actress at the Asian Film Awards. It was also nominated for Outstanding Debut at the BAFTA Awards. Film experts have criticized the CBFC’s stance, with theorist Amrit Gangar calling it a “sad story” and arguing that such restrictions hinder meaningful cinema. He pointed out that in today’s digital age, preventing public access to a film is nearly impossible, and certification barriers primarily affect revenue rather than viewership.
With OTT platforms also unlikely to pick up the film due to certification issues, the only remaining option is a legal battle—a step Suri is reportedly hesitant to take. The controversy has reignited debates over artistic freedom and censorship in Indian cinema.
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has halted the Indian theatrical release of the film Santosh, the UK's official Oscar entry. The critically acclaimed film directed by Sandhya Suri stars Shahana Goswami as a police officer navigating institutional corruption. According to various news reports, the CBFC has demanded 'extensive cuts' before granting the film a release certificate in India.
Scenes depicting police brutality were reportedly among the list of scenes asked to be edited out of the film, leading to a deadlock between the filmmaker and the Censor Board. Reacting to the CBFC’s demands, director Suri expressed her disappointment in an interview with The Guardian, calling the situation "heartbreaking." "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," she said, revealing that she received multiple pages of suggested edits, most of which focused on police conduct and broader societal issues.
She also stated that she was willing to go the legal way and challenge the decision in court rather than comply with the board’s demands. Actress Shahana Goswami backed her director and the team's decision, stating to India Today that "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." Expressing her frustration, 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."
Last year, the Dev Patel film Monkey Man also faced similar restrictions from the CBFC, prompting the makers to skip a theatrical release in India. The Indian censor board has blocked the release of Santosh, a film on Islamophobia and misogyny in the police force. The film follows 28-year-old Santosh, who inherits her late husband's position as a police officer and investigates a young girl's murder.
Indian film censors have refused to approve the release of the critically acclaimed film Santosh due to concerns about its portrayal of misogyny, Islamophobia, and violence in the Indian police force. Written and directed by British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri, Santosh is set in northern India and follows the journey of a young widow who joins the police force and investigates the murder of a young Dalit girl.
The film offers an unflinching depiction of systemic misogyny, caste discrimination, and police brutality, while also addressing sexual violence against lower-caste women and the growing anti-Muslim sentiment in India. International acclaim and award recognition have followed Santosh, which debuted at the Cannes Film Festival and received widespread praise.
It was the UK’s official entry for the Oscars’ international feature category and was nominated for a BAFTA for Best Debut Feature. The film also earned glowing reviews, including a five-star rating from The Observer. Despite being made in India with an all-Indian cast and filmed entirely in Hindi, the filmmakers encountered no issues when submitting the script for approval during production. India’s largest cinema chain had even agreed to distribute the film in January.
However, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), responsible for approving all cinematic releases in India, refused to certify Santosh, citing concerns about its negative depiction of the police. As a result, Indian audiences are unlikely to see the film in cinemas. Director Sandhya Suri described the decision as “disappointing and heartbreaking.” She expressed surprise, stating that similar issues had been addressed in past Indian films.
The CBFC demanded extensive cuts, but legal restrictions prevent Suri from disclosing specific details. She noted that the list of required edits was so lengthy that implementing them would be “impossible” without compromising the film’s integrity. The censorship comes at a time when India’s cultural sphere is under increasing scrutiny. Politically sensitive films and TV series often face backlash, hate campaigns, or are dropped by streaming platforms.
Suri acknowledged feeling nervous about releasing Santosh in India but emphasized that it was crucial for the very people affected by these issues to see the film. Police violence and torture remain serious concerns in India. A 2020 Human Rights Watch report highlighted that Indian police routinely use torture and violate arrest procedures with little accountability.
While police brutality has been depicted in Indian films before, Suri speculated that Santosh’s realistic approach—without a singular heroic figure—may have unsettled censors more than stylized Bollywood portrayals of police violence. Neither Indian police officials nor the CBFC have responded to inquiries about the film. The CBFC’s decision is final, with no option for negotiation or appeal outside of legal action.
Despite the setback, Suri remains committed to making the film accessible to Indian audiences. “All my work has been about India,” she said, noting that while Santosh presents a different side of the country, it still portrays the humanity of its characters. Currently, Santosh is being screened in UK cinemas.
