Oscar Pick Santosh Runs Into Trouble With CBFC, Release In India Denied
The Central Board of Film Certification blocked the release of Santosh in India. The UK's official Oscar entry addresses sensitive issues. Actor Shahana Goswami discussed it.
Seems like the road to the Oscars isn’t without its hurdles—at least for Santosh! The UK’s official entry for the Academy Awards has hit a major snag in India, with the CBFC (Central Board of Film Certification) reportedly demanding a long list of cuts before approving its release. Directed by Sandhya Suri, Santosh dives deep into social issues like caste discrimination, police brutality, and sexual violence, all through the gripping story of a young widow-turned-cop investigating the murder of a Dalit girl.
Well, the CBFC has blocked the release of the internationally acclaimed film Santosh in India now as they demanded several cuts and the makers weren’t ready for it.
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Reports suggest that the CBFC had raised numerous objections to Santosh, demanding a wide range of cuts before approving its release. Directed by Sandhya Suri, Santosh delves into sensitive social issues, including caste discrimination, police brutality, sexual violence, and Islamophobia.
Santosh actor Shahana Goswami told India Today Digital, “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 added that the film had received approval at the script level and now is facing hurdles. “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," she said.
Santosh is a thought-provoking crime drama that doesn’t shy away from tackling hard-hitting social issues. Starring Shahana Goswami in the lead alongside Sunita Rajwar, the film made waves internationally with its world premiere in the prestigious Un Certain Regard section at the 77th Cannes Film Festival earlier in 2024. While its theatrical release in India faces hurdles, the film is currently available for streaming on MUBI.
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