- Thursday, June 19, 2025
Actor Sunita Rajwar expresses deep disappointment over her film Santosh being denied an Indian release due to censor board hurdles, despite its global acclaim and selection as Britain’s Oscar entry. She calls it one of her best performances.
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Acclaimed actor Sunita Rajwar has voiced her deep disappointment at the news that her film Santosh will not see a release in India, despite receiving international acclaim.
Directed by Sandhya Suri, Santosh was selected as Britain’s official entry to the Oscars in 2025. However, the film has been unable to release in India after encountering significant obstacles in obtaining censor certification.
A Role Close to the Heart
Rajwar, who plays one of the two women officers in the film, described her role as one of her best performances. “I’m sad because I have a very different role in it, it’s a good role, it’s a big role. Every artist wants everyone to see their best work. We expect that if people see our work, then you will be offered either that role of that calibre or a different kind of role.”
Frustration with the Censor Board
The actor expressed frustration with the censor board’s demands, which she says are making it impossible for the film to be released in its intended form. “We all want the audience should at least get to see it (the film) and see what we’ve done in it. It is banned. They (makers) are trying, but they (censor board) are asking for so much edit that it’s not possible.”
The Story of Santosh
Santosh is an international co-production set in rural north India. The film follows Shahana Goswami’s character, a young Hindu widow who inherits her husband’s job as a police constable through a government scheme. As she navigates her new role, she becomes entangled in institutional corruption and works alongside Inspector Sharma (played by Rajwar) on a brutal murder case involving a Dalit teenage girl.
Despite the setback, Sunita Rajwar will next be seen in the highly anticipated Prime Video series, Panchayat 4.
