Indian film "Santosh" struggles with censorship issues

The Indian film "Santosh" is still waiting for approval to be released in India. Producer Mike Goodridge told Variety that the film is stuck in censorship issues. Despite receiving praise internationally, including awards for actress Shahana Goswami and director Sandhya Suri, the film has not yet been cleared by India’s Central Board of Film Certification. It was supposed to be released on January 10, but the release was halted after the board requested changes that the filmmakers do not agree with. "Santosh" tells the story of a widow who takes on her late husband's job as a police constable and investigates the murder of a young girl from a marginalized community. The film was also the U.K.'s entry for the Oscars and was shortlisted for consideration. Goswami expressed her passion for the role, saying it portrays a character navigating life's complexities without being preachy. Goodridge praised the film for its honest approach to societal issues, avoiding simplistic views on gender and caste. The film is set to be released in the U.K. on March 21 and continues to be screened at various festivals in its original form while the team plans their next moves. Goodridge also mentioned other projects from his production company, Good Chaos. He shared updates on upcoming films and expressed optimism about festival showings for new works in progress.