Santosh Film's India Release Halted: Director Sandhya Suri Speaks Out

Filmmaker Sandhya Suri's critically acclaimed cop drama 'Santosh' was all set for its Indian streaming debut, but just like its planned theatrical run, the OTT release has been unexpectedly paused. The director is understandably disheartened, highlighting ongoing censorship issues and expressing concerns about rising piracy.

TL;DR: Quick Takes on the 'Santosh' Release Saga

• Sandhya Suri's 'Santosh,' an acclaimed cop drama, has had its highly anticipated Indian streaming release abruptly halted, mirroring its earlier theatrical censorship issues.
• Director Suri remains firm on not making "unacceptable cuts" that she believes would compromise the film's integrity, even for streaming platforms.
• Despite international praise (Cannes, Oscar entry, BAFTA nomination), the film's prolonged release struggles in India are pushing the director to fear increased piracy.

The Critically Acclaimed "Santosh" Continues Its Troubled Journey to Indian Audiences

Oh boy, have we got a saga for you. Sandhya Suri's powerful and globally praised cop drama, 'Santosh,' just can't catch a break when it comes to reaching Indian audiences. After making waves at the Cannes Film Festival and even being selected as the UK's official entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards, you'd think its path would be smooth sailing. But nope, not in India.

The film, which stars the talented Shahana Goswami in the titular role, was initially eyed for an Indian theatrical release back in January. However, that plan was completely stalled due to a significant standoff with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). Fast forward to now, and the story unfortunately repeats itself, but this time for its digital debut.

The Unexpected Halt of "Santosh" on Lionsgate Play and Streaming Hurdles

Just when fans were gearing up to finally stream 'Santosh' on Lionsgate Play, scheduled for October 17, 2025, the release was abruptly pulled at the very last minute. The news has left director Sandhya Suri deeply disappointed, as this marks yet another setback in her mission to bring the film to viewers in India, legitimately and in its intended form.

Lionsgate Play had even posted announcements about the film's OTT premiere, only for them to be taken down later. It's a frustrating turn of events for a film that has already earned a BAFTA nomination for Best Debut Feature and captivated audiences abroad.

"The objections I had to cuts for the theatrical release remain my objections for a streaming release. The streamers don’t need, by law, to have censorship status to show films. But perhaps this is about an environment in which streamers take on certain objections of their own accord for a harmonious universe."

— Sandhya Suri, Director of 'Santosh'

Why the Indian Censor Board and Streamers Have Pumped the Brakes

The core of the problem, according to Suri, lies with "unacceptable cuts" demanded by the CBFC for a theatrical release. These proposed edits were so extensive and wide-ranging that Suri and her team felt they would "compromise the integrity of the film too profoundly." Essentially, they were asked to alter the very essence of their artistic vision, a request they staunchly refused.

What's particularly interesting, and frankly, a bit puzzling, is how this extends to streaming. As Suri points out, "The streamers don't need, by law, to have censorship status to show films." This means digital platforms typically have more leeway regarding content. Yet, even with this flexibility, Lionsgate Play seems to have self-censored, possibly to "take on certain objections of their own accord for a harmonious universe," as Suri puts it.

Reports suggest that some of the CBFC's initial objections were related to scenes depicting "police brutality in India," which the board urged the filmmakers to edit out. It seems these concerns might have informally influenced the streaming decision as well.

Exploring the Powerful Narrative and Themes Woven into "Santosh"

'Santosh' isn't just another cop drama; it's a deep dive into complex social issues set against the backdrop of Northern India. The film introduces us to Santosh, a newly widowed woman who unexpectedly inherits her late husband's job as a police constable. This new role thrusts her into a world she's unfamiliar with, as she grapples with grief, societal expectations, and the harsh realities of her new profession.

The plot thickens when she becomes entangled in the investigation of a young girl's murder. Through this storyline, the film bravely tackles sensitive themes like caste, gender dynamics, and power structures, offering an unflinching portrayal of these issues within Indian society. Suri was reportedly inspired by the aftermath of the harrowing 2012 Nirbhaya gang rape case, seeking to explore violence against women and the complex role of female police officers within such environments.

The decision to hold the film back, therefore, isn't just about a movie missing its release date; it's about a crucial narrative, lauded internationally for its powerful insights, being denied a platform to resonate with its intended audience in India.

The Growing Specter of Piracy and Director Sandhya Suri's Hopes for a Legitimate Release

The continuous delays and official blockades have a disheartening consequence that director Sandhya Suri is keenly aware of: increased piracy. She notes that despite no official release in India, the "amount of feedback everyone is getting" confirms that people are "100% watching" the film through unofficial means. It's a Catch-22 situation: the very efforts to control the film's content are inadvertently driving viewers to illegal channels.

Suri rightly laments, "It was announced and now we're un-announcing, so a lot more people are going to watch it in some other form." Her ultimate wish is clear and simple: for 'Santosh' to be "distributed legitimately and uncut in India." It's a plea for artistic integrity and for the film to be seen as it was created, by the very people whose stories it seeks to explore.

While 'Santosh' continues to face an uphill battle in its home country, its international recognition stands as a testament to its quality and importance. Having premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes 2024, received a US release in December 2024, and a UK release in March 2025, the film's artistic merit is undeniable. The hope remains that someday, Indian viewers will also get the chance to experience 'Santosh' in its authentic, powerful form.

Frequently Asked Questions About "Santosh" and Its Indian Release

Q: Why has the Indian release of Sandhya Suri's film Santosh been paused?

A: The film's theatrical release was initially blocked by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) due to demands for cuts that director Sandhya Suri and her team found unacceptable, as they would "compromise the integrity of the film." The planned streaming debut on Lionsgate Play (which can be accessed via OTTplay Premium in some bundles) was subsequently halted at the last minute, with Suri suggesting that streamers might be voluntarily adopting "certain objections" for a "harmonious universe," despite not being legally required to censor content like theatrical releases.

Q: Has 'Santosh' had a theatrical release anywhere in the world?

A: Yes! While it hasn't seen a theatrical or official streaming release in India, 'Santosh' premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. It was then released in the U.S. in December 2024 and in the UK in March 2025 by Vertigo.

Q: What is the plot of 'Santosh' about?

A: 'Santosh' is a Hindi-language police procedural set in Northern India. It follows a newly widowed woman, also named Santosh (played by Shahana Goswami), who takes on her late husband's job as a police constable. She soon finds herself deeply involved in the investigation of a young girl's murder, navigating complex themes of caste, gender, and power dynamics within the police force and society.

Q: Is there any confirmed new release date for 'Santosh' in India?

A: Unfortunately, as of now, there is no new confirmed theatrical or streaming release date for 'Santosh' in India. Director Sandhya Suri has expressed her wish for the film to be distributed legitimately and uncut, but the path forward remains uncertain after these recent setbacks.

Sources

• TOI: 'Streamers take on certain objections': Director Sandhya Suri expresses disappointment as 'Santosh' OTT release halted
• Deadline: Sandhya Suri Laments ‘Santosh’ Indian OTT Delay: “Lot More People Are Going To Watch It In Some Other Form”
• OTTplay: Sandhya Suri laments Santosh Indian OTT delay: 'Lot more people are going to watch it in some other form'
• Republic World: Lionsgate Play Removes Santosh From Streaming List Last Minute - Here's Why
• The Week: First blocked by theatres, now by OTT: 'Santosh' director Sandhya Suri still hopes for legitimate screening
• Cinema Express: OTT release of Sandhya Suri’s Santosh paused at last minute: Report