The Indian censorship board’s refusal to clear Santosh for release highlights the increasing restrictions on politically sensitive cinema in the country. The film, directed by British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri, has garnered international acclaim for its raw portrayal of police brutality, caste-based discrimination, and gender violence in India. However, despite being made entirely in India with an Indian cast and language, it has been deemed too critical of the police by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
Suri described the board’s demands for edits as so extensive that they would render the film incoherent. She emphasised that Santosh does not sensationalise violence but presents a starkly realistic depiction of systemic issues. The censorship decision comes amid growing concerns about the shrinking space for artistic expression in India, where films tackling uncomfortable truths are increasingly subject to backlash, legal hurdles, or outright bans.
The film’s suppression underscores a broader pattern of state control over cultural narratives, particularly those that challenge authority or expose institutional failures. While Santosh has been celebrated globally, its inaccessibility to Indian audiences raises serious questions about freedom of expression in the country’s film industry.
With inputs from agencies
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