India-set film Santosh is facing delays in its domestic release as it remains stuck in censorship limbo, producer Mike Goodridge confirmed in an interview. Despite earning international accolades, including Best Actress for Shahana Goswami and Best New Director for Sandhya Suri at the Asian Film Awards, the film’s future in India remains uncertain due to censorship issues.
Goodridge explained that the film is currently “stuck in censorship,” as the Indian Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has requested changes to the film that both the filmmaker and the production team find unacceptable. “The Indian censor has requested certain changes that I don’t think the filmmaker is comfortable with, nor us, to be honest,” Goodridge stated.
The film’s planned January 10 release in India was suspended after the CBFC failed to clear the film for certification, despite the movie receiving prior approval for its script and qualifying for Indian government production incentives.
Santosh tells the story of a widow who inherits her late husband’s position as a police constable in rural northern India. She becomes embroiled in investigating the murder of an underage girl from a marginalized caste community. The film was shortlisted as the U.K. entry for the Academy Awards’ International Feature category.
Shahana Goswami, who stars in the lead role, shared that the film appealed to her because of its nuanced storytelling. “It’s the kind of film I would love to watch because it’s not didactic or preachy,” Goswami said. “You follow the character through her ups and downs, her transgressions, her mistakes, and victories, but without judgment.”
Goodridge praised the film’s authentic portrayal of complex issues. “I thought it would be more didactic or tokenistic, but Sandhya isn’t interested in that kind of storytelling. She wants to tell it as it is and show that the story isn’t just about men versus women or caste against caste.”
The film’s universal themes of human struggles and societal dynamics have contributed to its international appeal. Goswami remarked, “Everybody connects to that. People don’t see it as just an ‘Indian film’ – it resonates globally.”
While Santosh remains in limbo in India, it continues to screen at international film festivals in its uncut version. The U.K. release is set for March 21, and the team is also busy with screenings, interviews, and Q&As as director Suri works on new material.
In addition to Santosh, Goodridge provided updates on other high-profile projects from his production company, Good Chaos. The Netflix film The Ballad of a Small Player, directed by Edward Berger, is currently in post-production. “Ed Berger is fully focused on the film now, and we’re hoping it will be on Netflix later this year,” Goodridge shared.
Good Chaos is also co-producing Ruben Östlund’s upcoming project, The Entertainment System Is Down, which is currently in production. “Ruben Östlund is just another slice of genius,” Goodridge remarked of the two-time Palme d’Or-winning director.
Looking ahead, Goodridge expressed excitement about László Nemes’ Orphan, which he said “has turned out fantastically” and will be submitted to festivals soon.
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