Indian film censors have forbidden the release of the critically acclaimed film, Santosh, over concerns related to its depictions of misogyny, Islamophobia, and violence within the Indian police force. Created by British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri, Santosh is situated in north India and has received international recognition for its portrayal of a young widow who joins the police force to investigate the murder of a young Dalit girl. The film unflinchingly exposes issues within the Indian police force, including deep-rooted misogynistic attitudes, caste-based discriminations, and the normalization of police mistreatment, as well as touching on sexual violence and the rise of anti-Muslim prejudice in India.
Santosh debuted to acclaim at the Cannes film festival and was the UK’s official entry for the Oscars’ international feature category. It has been nominated for a BAFTA for best debut feature this year, with its lead actor, Shahana Goswami, recently awarded for best actress at the Asian film awards.
Despite initial support from India’s largest cinema chain to distribute the film, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), a government body responsible for approving cinematic releases, denied its release. The film, made entirely in India with an Indian cast and in Hindi, had passed the script submission process without issues previously.
Filmmaker Sandhya Suri expressed her disappointment at the censors’ decision. The extensive list of required cuts was deemed impossible to implement, relating to concerns about a range of societal issues. Suri believes that while her film does not glamorize violence, its realistic depiction may have discomfited the censors, given that it challenges the common portrayal of a heroic, unblemished police officer in Indian cinema.
This incident illustrates the increased censorship and scrutiny Indian cinema faces, often resulting in hate campaigns and police cases against works that address politically sensitive themes. Suri, inspired by the 2012 Nirbhaya case of a woman gang-raped and murdered, emphasizes her commitment to releasing the film to those most affected by its themes and her plans to continue fighting for its availability in India.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/26/santosh-film-blocked-india-police-brutality-cannes
