Oscar entry, but banned at home: This Sunita Rajwar’s acclaimed film faces censorship in India

Sunita Rajwar has described her role in Santosh as one of the most significant and powerful performances of her career. Playing a tough, seasoned police officer opposite Shahana Goswami, Rajwar got the chance to break away from her usual roles and showcase her range. However, the irony is that despite the international acclaim the film has received, Indian audiences may never get to see this side of her acting prowess due to the film’s stalled release in India.

Directed by Sandhya Suri, Santosh has not only travelled to global film festivals but has also been selected as the UK’s official entry to the 2025 Oscars. While the world is applauding the film, India’s censor board has blocked its release over excessive demands for edits. For Rajwar and the team, this bittersweet situation is frustrating—receiving international recognition while being denied a home audience.

In her candid interview, Rajwar expressed the emotional toll of this setback. Like any artist, she desires that her best work be witnessed by the people in her own country. Rajwar admitted that it’s not just about personal fame, but about the opportunity to be offered more challenging, substantial roles based on the performance. The absence of a local release feels like a lost opportunity for growth and visibility.

Santosh tackles sensitive but essential themes like caste-based violence, gender roles, and systemic corruption in rural India. Sunita Rajwar’s character plays a key role in unraveling these layered social issues. The censor board’s hesitance to approve the film is a telling example of how difficult it remains to bring such hard-hitting stories to Indian theatres without heavy compromises.

While Santosh remains in limbo in India, Sunita Rajwar’s career isn’t slowing down. She is set to return in Panchayat 4, the highly anticipated next season of the hit Prime Video series. Known for her sharp comic timing and authentic portrayals in the Panchayat universe, Rajwar continues to balance both critically acclaimed and popular content, proving her versatility across genres.