Indian censor board blocks release of ‘Santosh’, a film on Islamophobia, and misogyny in the police force

Bengaluru: The internationally acclaimed film Santosh premiered at the Cannes Film Festival last year but the Indian censor board has stopped it from release in the country. The film's portrayal of misogyny, Islamophobia and violence in the Indian police force is reportedly the reason.

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) demanded many "radical cuts so lengthy and wide-ranging that they would be impossible to implement", film's director Sandhya Suri told the British daily The Guardian.

Releasing the film in India was important to Suri and so she tried her best to implement the cuts. However, she says, "It was too difficult to make those cuts and have a film that still made sense, let alone stayed true to its vision.”

Santosh, with Shahana Goswami playing the titular character, contended for the Prize of Un Certain Regard at the Cannes fest.

UK's Oscar entry

The film is an international co-production of the UK, India, France and Germany. It was the UK entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 97th Oscars. It made it to the December shortlist.

The film follows 28-year-old Santosh, who inherits her late husband's position as a police officer and investigates a young girl's murder.