UK Oscar entry ‘Santosh’in stalemate with Indiancensors, release uncertain

 

 

GLOBALLY acclaimed Hindi film “Santosh”, Britain’s official entry at the Oscars and one of the most talked about titles last year, may not make it to Indian theatres following hurdles in its censor certification. Though there was no official comment from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), a member termedit“aclassic case of gross disagreement” between the producers and the board.

 

“They are unrelenting. They want zero modifications, and CBFC wants the modifications. They went to the revising committeeforthesecondtime,made more modifications, and lost theirJanuaryreleasedate...There has to be a middle ground,” the member told PTI on condition of anonymity.

 

“Santosh”, directed by British Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri, known for documentaries such as“IForIndia”and“AroundIndia witha MovieCamera”, is apolice procedural thriller set in north India.Thefilm, starringShahana GoswamiandSunitaRajwar,was initially set for an India release on January 10. A co-production between United Kingdom, Germany and France, it revolves arounda widow who gets her late husband’s jobofapoliceconstable.Sheand her senior inspector are soon sucked into a high profile investigation into the rape and murder of a Dalit teenager.