Indian film board blocks release of Oscar-nominated Gaza drama The Voice of Hind Rajab The Indian film board has blocked the release of The Voice of Hind Rajab, an Oscar-nominated Tunisian documentary about the death of a five-year-old girl during the Israel-Gaza war. The film’s Indian distributor, Manoj Nandwana of Jai Viratra Entertainment, reported that authorities warned the screening of the film by Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania could harm India-Israel relations. Nandwana submitted the film to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in February, aiming for a mid-March release ahead of the Academy Awards, but it has not been approved. He expressed skepticism about the claim, stating, “The India-Israel relationship is so strong that it’s idiotic to think this movie will break it.” The Voice of Hind Rajab details the death of Hind Rajab, a five-year-old girl, in January 2024, as her family fled bombing in Gaza City. The film incorporates the actual audio of Rajab’s panicked phone conversation with emergency operators, with the latter performed by actors. It was nominated for the best international feature film Oscar alongside It Was Just an Accident, The Secret Agent, and Sentimental Value, but did not win. India’s government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has consistently supported Israel since the 7 October attacks, becoming one of the first nations to issue a statement in response. Modi’s recent two-day visit to Israel in February saw the signing of numerous agreements. The CBFC, however, has a history of blocking politically sensitive films.#central_board_of_film_certification #kaouther_ben_hania #hind_rajab #india_israel_relations #jai_viratra_entertainment
