While the CBFC is facing backlash over its decision to cut the Superman kissing scene, many have been questioning the institution long before this controversy.
From excessive cuts to changing the names of characters and even film titles, the board has often exercised heavy control over what audiences can and cannot watch on screen.
One such affected film is Santosh, the UK’s official entry to the Oscars this year. The story follows Santosh, a young widow who inherits her late husband’s job as a police officer in the rural badlands of India.
While the film has been receiving rave reviews on the international festival circuit, its release in India has been blocked by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) over concerns regarding its portrayal of police violence, misogyny, and Islamophobia.
The film’s lead, Shahana Goswami, addressed this in a recent interview, stating that the act of blocking the release reflects a deeper, unnecessary control being exerted by those in power.
What’s more surprising is that the film was initially approved at the script level.
Commenting on this, Shahana said that it is an unfair world we live in. There are a lot of illogical acts justified by what they believe are logical reasons, driven by their fears, worries, and anxieties.
She spoke about how people don’t want to face the truth. Films often portray extreme violence and sexuality, and those are accepted because they feel far removed from real life. But the moment a film becomes reflective, like a mirror, it makes people uncomfortable.
And those in power don’t want the public to be truly aware of their own reality.
The ones in power don’t want to be questioned, which is why such censorship and control are maintained.
However, Shahana believes that stories find their way to people one way or another. She’s confident the film will eventually reach Indian audiences.
Ironically, CBFC’s actions have only amplified the buzz around the film. As a result, people have begun finding their own ways to watch Santosh, almost as an act of rebellion.
