What is the status of Sandhya Suri's film "Santosh" in India?

The planned streaming release of Sandhya Suri's 2024 film "Santosh" on Lionsgate Play in India has been paused due to censorship issues.

Why was the streaming release of "Santosh" in India postponed?

The censor board in India had asked for certain cuts to the film, but Suri and her team found these cuts unacceptable as they would have compromised the film's integrity. As a result, the streaming release has been postponed.

How is the film being viewed in India despite the lack of an official release?

Suri says she knows the film is being "100% watched" in India due to the significant feedback she is receiving, indicating that people are accessing the film through other means, likely leading to increased piracy.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Filmmaker Battles Censorship: Indian Streaming Release of "Santosh" Paused

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

17 Oct

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Summary

Filmmaker Sandhya Suri's 2024 film "Santosh" faces censorship issues in India
Streaming release on Lionsgate Play paused due to unacceptable cuts demanded by censor board
Suri says the cuts would have compromised the film's integrity

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.