Filmmaker Sandhya Suri has expressed strong disappointment following the last-minute decision to pause the digital premiere of her film *Santosh* in India, describing the move as “a real shame.”
The film, which was scheduled to debut on Lionsgate Play in India on Friday, October 17, was suddenly pulled. This delay comes amid persistent conflicts with India’s censorship system.
Suri explained the situation, stating, “The process in India is that the censor board (CBFC) may ask you to make cuts for a theatrical release. The cuts they asked for were not acceptable to me or my team. We could not make those cuts as they compromised the integrity of the film too profoundly.”
She went on to clarify that her objections to the mandated cuts for a theatrical release remain the same when it comes to a streaming run. “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,” Suri added.
The director also highlighted a significant unintended consequence of pulling the premiere—the risk of piracy. “It was announced and now we’re un-announcing, so a lot more people are going to watch it in some other form,” she remarked. “My wish is for the film to be distributed legitimately and uncut in India.”
*Santosh* tells the story of a widowed police constable, Santosh (played by Shahana Goswami), who steps into her late husband’s job and ends up investigating the murder of a young girl.
Produced by Good Chaos with co-producers Razor Film and Haut et Court, the film was backed by BFI and BBC Film. Notably, *Santosh* was also the UK’s submission for the Best International Feature category at the 97th Academy Awards.
—
**Also Read:**
*Santosh* release halted by CBFC over depiction of police brutality and caste issues; director Sandhya Suri reacts!
**More Pages:**
Santosh Box Office Collection | Bollywood News Live Updates
https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/santosh-ott-premiere-paused-director-sandhya-suri-calls-real-shame/
