March 26, 20205: The much-acclaimed film Santosh, a British-Indian production, has run into trouble with India’s Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The film, which was the UK’s official entry to the 2025 Academy Awards and made it to the Oscar shortlist, has been blocked from release in India due to its sensitive content.
Directed by Sandhya Suri, Santosh portrays the gripping story of a young widow who joins the police force in northern India. She investigates the murder of a Dalit girl, a case that uncovers deep-rooted issues within the Indian police force, including systemic misogyny, caste discrimination, and police brutality. The film explores harrowing themes of sexual violence against lower-caste women and the growing anti-Muslim sentiments in the country.
Despite its global acclaim and high praise for its bold narrative, the globally acclaimed film has faced significant resistance from the CBFC. Sources indicate that the censor board has requested extensive cuts to the film, demanding alterations to scenes depicting violence, caste-based discrimination, and sexual assault. The film’s content, which highlights these critical societal issues, has sparked a debate over censorship and creative freedom in India.
Santosh” Blocked in India: Censor Board Demands Major Cuts
Shahana Goswami, who plays the lead role in the film, voiced her concerns in an interview with India Today Digital. She expressed her disappointment with the CBFC’s demands for cuts, 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 these cuts, as they would alter the essence of the film too much. It seems unlikely that the film will release theatrically in India.”
Goswami further highlighted that Santosh had received script approval from the CBFC before filming, making the current demands for cuts even more perplexing. “It’s disheartening that something approved at the script level now faces such hurdles,” she added.
Premiering at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in 2024, Santosh quickly garnered attention for its bold approach to pressing social issues. The film’s critical acclaim was further solidified when it became the UK’s official entry to the 2025 Oscars for the Best International Feature Film category. In addition, Santosh was nominated for a British Academy Film Award (BAFTA) for Best Debut Feature, and Goswami recently won Best Actress at the Asian Film Awards for her role in the film.
With an all-Indian cast and filmed entirely in India, Santosh is a Hindi-language film that delves into the deeply entrenched social problems within the country. Currently available for streaming on MUBI in India, it is generating a lot of attention both for its impactful storytelling and the controversy it has sparked over censorship.
As the debate over censorship and creative freedom continues, it remains to be seen whether Santosh will be able to find a path to release in India without compromising its integrity.