The acclaimed film Santosh, directed by Sandhya Suri, is finally making its way to audiences in India through Lionsgate Play on October 17. The film, which stars Shahana Goswami in the lead role, had earlier faced a ban from the Central Board of Film Certification. Because of this, it never received a theatrical release in the country despite its strong international presence.
Santosh tells the story of a young widow who takes up her late husband’s job as a police constable and finds herself investigating a brutal crime in a caste-divided region. The film deals with sensitive themes such as gender, power, and social injustice, which many believe led to the censorship issues. It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024, earning praise for its realism and Shahana Goswami’s powerful performance.
The announcement of its release on Lionsgate Play has come as a surprise and a relief to many viewers who were waiting to watch it. However, there is uncertainty about whether the streaming version will include the complete film or a censored version. Given its earlier troubles with the censors, some fear that key scenes or dialogues might be altered.
Still, Lionsgate Play’s decision to stream Santosh is being seen as a bold and important step. It opens the door for Indian audiences to experience one of the most talked-about films of last year, even if it arrives with a few question marks attached.