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Indian cinema has always been bold in addressing society’s toughest issues.
The Santosh movie, a film that earned international acclaim at Cannes for its raw portrayal of police misconduct, caste bias, and societal violence, is now facing an unexpected hurdle at home.
Despite its gripping narrative and powerful performances, the Indian censor board has halted its release over concerns about its negative portrayal of law enforcement.
Join us as we explore the story behind the Santosh movie, the controversy it has sparked, and what this means for artistic freedom in India.
About Santosh Movie
Santosh, the UK's official entry for the Oscars in the international feature film category, has been refused release in India due to worries about its "unfavorable depiction of law enforcement."
Located in rural northern India, the Hindi film features Shahana Goswami portraying a 28-year-old widow who, due to compassionate reasons, inherits her late husband's police position and is tasked with investigating the rape and murder of a young Dalit girl.
The movie directed by British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri offers a striking insight into entrenched issues in Indian policing, showcasing its systemic misogyny, caste-driven bias, and the habitual application of violence and torture. Santosh also investigates the occurrence of sexual violence, especially towards Dalit women, and explores the increasing wave of anti-Muslim feelings in India.
Dalits, previously referred to as untouchables, occupy the lowest level of India's strict caste system and frequently face discrimination from upper castes and state institutions, despite the formal abolition of untouchability in 1955.
Santosh was said to be filmed completely in India over a span of 44 days in and near Lucknow, the capital of the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, featuring a wholly Indian cast.
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New Movie Santosh’s Success
After premiering at the 77th Cannes Film Festival last May, Santosh went on to earn a BAFTA nomination for outstanding debut feature and received acclaim from critics and audiences alike. It was named one of the top five international films by the National Board of Review and brought Suri and Goswami best director and best actor honours at the recent Asian Film Awards.
Indian censor Stops Santosh Release
In December, it was reported by the media that PVR Inox Pictures had acquired Santosh for distribution and planned to release it in India on 10 January.
Earlier this month, it was disclosed that the release had been halted after the Central Board of Film Certification, the nation’s film certification authority often referred to as the censor board, voiced objections despite the producers having previously obtained script approval in India.
A movie cannot be shown in Indian cinemas without receiving certification from the board. In 2021, the board dissolved the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal, which permitted filmmakers to contest its rulings. Currently, the sole method for filmmakers to challenge a decision is to approach the courts, a costly and lengthy procedure that offers no guarantees.
"We're somewhat trapped in censorship." To be frank, the Indian censor has asked for modifications that I believe the director is not at ease with, and neither are we, to be fair,” producer Mike Goodridge shared with Variety during that period.
On Wednesday, The Guardian stated that the censor board did not approve Santosh as it thought the film depicted the Indian police in an unfavorable and severe manner.
Santosh Director Sandhya Suri Statement
Suri described the choice as disheartening and sorrowful. "It caught all of us off guard since I didn’t think these matters were especially new to Indian cinema or hadn’t been addressed previously by other films," she said to The Guardian.
Suri stated that the edits requested by the censor board were so “extensive and extensive” that they were “unfeasible” to execute.
Although she was unable to disclose the specific cuts requested because of legal limitations, she mentioned that the list extended “over several pages” and “encompassed issues regarding police behavior and broader societal issues that are intricately woven into the film.”
“It mattered a lot to me that the film be released in India, so I looked for ways to make that happen.” However, ultimately, it became overly challenging to implement those edits while keeping a coherent film that also remained faithful to its vision,” she stated.
“I don’t believe my film portrays violence in a manner similar to how many other police-centric films have done.” "It's not sensational in any way."
The Santosh movie stands as a bold testament to addressing difficult social issues. Its controversy continues to fuel the debate on censorship in Indian cinema.
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