8 hours agoAuthor: Kiran Jain
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It is constantly being discussed after the film ‘Santosh’ was banned in India. Actress Sunita Rajwar, who played an important role in this film, expressed her opinion on the issue. Let me tell you, Sunita is playing the role of a senior police officer in the film.
‘Talk about the film, this is a big deal’
During a conversation with Dainik Bhaskar, Sunita Rajwar said, ‘I worked in this film and I got a chance to play a very good role in it. It did not seem that we are showing something wrong. Every project has its own luck, sometimes does not support time. But I take it positively that at least my film is being discussed. Many good films are made, but no one talks about them. People are talking about my film, this is a big deal for me.
‘Rules will have to follow’
When he was asked whether the strictness about the film release in India should be reduced, he said, ‘I don’t know what would be right to say and what is wrong. I am an artist who only knows to do his job. I do not know much about things like production, marketing. As an artist, I just do my work and move forward. The film is being appreciated abroad, reached the nomination list of the Oscar, this is a big thing in itself.
‘The film is in the headlines, this is the biggest satisfaction’
Sunita further said, ‘I am satisfied that my film remains in the discussion. Even in India, those who saw it, have praised film, actors and directions. Our hard work has been successful. Whatever the rest of the rules and regulations, they have to follow. The most important thing is that our film did not disappear, but remains in the headlines.
Why ‘Santosh’ released?
The film ‘Santosh’ is based on the story of a fictional North Indian town, in which a young widow (Shahana Goswami) police force investigates the murder of a Dalit girl. The film police highlights issues related to systems such as sexual violence and Islamophobia against lower caste women.
Due to these serious subjects, the film was appreciated at the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated by the UK in the International Feature category for 2025 Oscars. But the same issues became a cause of dispute for CBFC.
According to reports, the CBFC demanded several big cuts in the film, which cited the negative image of the police.
What did director Sandhya Suri say on CBFC?
In an interview to The Guardian, Sandhya Suri said, ‘It was very important for me to release the film in India, so I tried to find a way out. But finally it could not be possible. After applying so many cuts, the film does not understand and its original thinking would also change. I do not believe that my film glorifies violence, as in many other police films. There is nothing sensational in this.
The film has been highly appreciated abroad. But due to its story and some sensitive issues, it did not get the approval for release in India. Recently, the film reached the Oscar’s nomination list.