After months of controversy and a nationwide ban, ‘Santosh’, starring Shahana Goswami, is finally making its way to the audience through OTT. The film faced a long battle with Indian censors, and now it will premiere on Lionsgate Play on October 17.
This comes as a major relief for the filmmakers who have been waiting since its international debut. ‘Santosh’ was first screened at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in May 2024. Then it earned a warm response from critics and global viewers. It later travelled to the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival where it was part of the prestigious South Asia Competition section.
Despite its international acclaim, the film hit a wall in India. In January 2025, it was ready for a theatrical release through PVR Inox Pictures. They had acquired the Indian distribution rights of the film from mk2 Films. However, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) refused to clear it, raising objections over scenes that reportedly depicted Islamophobia, casteism, misogyny, and police brutality.
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Ironically, the film wasn’t endorsing these issues. It was calling them out. But in March 2025, the CBFC officially blocked its release. They demanded several cuts to tone down what it called “offensive” content.
Director Sandhya Suri expressed her surprise over the decision, saying that ‘Santosh’ merely reflects social realities that Indian cinema has explored many times before. “The issues we raise are not new. I was surprised by the reaction because similar themes have been handled in many Indian films,” she said in earlier interviews.
Now, after months of silence, ‘Santosh’ is set to reach Indian homes in its original uncut version, streaming directly on Lionsgate Play.
For lead actor Shahana Goswami, the digital release is deeply emotional. Calling ‘Santosh’ a film that’s “close to her heart,” she said, “It’s a beautifully written story that holds up a mirror to the world we live in; a world we have all helped create. Sandhya has crafted something so meaningful and touching. The film has travelled the world and received love from audiences everywhere. Now, I can’t wait for people in India to finally watch it.”
Shahana also praised her co-star Sunita Rajwar, who plays a key supporting role. “She’s done an excellent job portraying a very complex character. It was a joy to watch her transform into Geeta Sharma. Audiences will see her in a completely new light,” she added.
The story behind ‘Santosh’
The film follows Santosh, a young widow who inherits her late husband’s job in the police department through a compassionate appointment. What begins as a mere formality soon becomes a test of her strength and conscience. This happens when she gets an assignment to investigate the rape and murder of a Dalit teenager.
As she works alongside Inspector Sharma, Santosh has to confront a justice system riddled with bias, corruption, and buried truths. Every clue she uncovers pushes her deeper into a maze. The power protects the guilty, and truth comes at a cost.
From walking the red carpet at Cannes to being blocked at home, ‘Santosh’ has already lived a story as dramatic as its plot. But with its OTT release on October 17, the film is finally set to find its audience, and perhaps, the justice it deserves.