Filmmaker Sandhya Suri has expressed deep frustration after the unexpected suspension of her film Santosh’s digital premiere in India. The film was scheduled to release on Lionsgate Play on Friday, October 17, but was abruptly withdrawn at the last moment, a decision Suri called “a real shame.”
The delay stems from ongoing clashes with India’s censorship process. Explaining the issue, Suri said, “In India, the censor board can demand cuts for a theatrical release. The changes they wanted were unacceptable to me and my team, as they would have compromised the film’s integrity.”
She added that her stance remains unchanged for streaming, noting that OTT platforms are not legally required to obtain censor certification. “My objections to the cuts for the theatrical release remain the same for the streaming version,” she said. “Streaming platforms don’t need censorship clearance by law, but perhaps they’re choosing to self-censor to avoid conflict.”
Suri also voiced concern about the potential rise in piracy following the last-minute cancellation. “Since the release was announced and then pulled back, it might push more people to watch it through unofficial means,” she remarked. “I just hope the film can be released in India legally and without cuts.”
Santosh tells the story of a widowed police constable, played by Shahana Goswami, who takes over her late husband’s job and becomes involved in a young girl’s murder investigation. Produced by Good Chaos alongside Razor Film and Haut et Court, with backing from BFI and BBC Film, Santosh was also selected as the UK’s official entry for Best International Feature at the 97th Academy Awards.
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