Filmmaker Battles Censorship: Indian Streaming Release of "Santosh" Paused

In 2025, filmmaker Sandhya Suri, a recipient of the BFI and Chanel's Filmmaker Award, is facing censorship challenges with the release of her 2024 feature film "Santosh" in India. The film, which debuted at the Cannes Film Festival last year and was released in the U.S. in December 2024, was set to have its Indian streaming debut on Lionsgate Play on October 17, 2025. However, this release has now been paused at the last minute.

Suri explains that the censor board in India had asked for certain cuts to the film for a theatrical release, but these were unacceptable to her and her team as they would have compromised the film's integrity. The same objections remain for the planned streaming release, leading to the postponement.

Despite the lack of an official release in India, Suri says she knows the film is being "100% watched" in the country due to the significant feedback she is receiving. The filmmaker adds that the news of the streaming debut being paused will sadly increase piracy of the film in India, as people will seek out other means to watch it.

Suri's next project is an adaptation of an unnamed J.G. Ballard novel, which she describes as "Ballard with a lot of emotion." The filmmaker remains hopeful that "Santosh" will eventually be distributed legitimately and uncut in India, allowing audiences to experience her work as intended.