Censor Board blocks release of UK’s Oscar entry ‘Santosh’ in India as makers refuse to make suggested cuts; Sandhya Suri and Shahana Goswami react
British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri’s critically acclaimed movie ‘Santosh‘ has been denied certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in India. The board reportedly raised objections to its depiction of misogyny, Islamophobia, and violence within the Indian police force.
Following the CBFC’s decision, Suri expressed her disappointment and called it “heartbreaking.” Speaking to 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 reportedly demanded multiple edits, spanning several pages, primarily concerning the portrayal of the police and societal themes. “It was just too difficult to make those cuts and have a film that still made sense, let alone stayed true to its vision,” Suri explained.
At the same time, actress Shahana Goswami also reacted to the CBFC’s decision.
Shahana, who played one of the lead roles in the movie, shared that the list of changes requested by the CBFC would alter the film significantly. “It is in a deadlock where it probably won’t release theatrically in India,” she stated in an interview with India Today.
She further shared, “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.”
The film, starring Shahana Goswami and Sunita Rajwar, tells the story of a young widow who joins the police force and investigates the murder of a Dalit girl. ‘Santosh’ has garnered international recognition, having premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to positive reviews. It was also the UK’s official selection for the 2025 Academy Awards in the International Feature category and received a BAFTA nomination for Best Debut Feature. Shahana Goswami won the Best Actress award at the Asian Film Awards for her performance in the film.
