The Indian theatrical release of Kaouther Ben Hania’s Oscar-nominated film “The Voice of Hind Rajab” has been blocked by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), according to the film’s distributor. The film, which recounts the story of a 5-year-old Palestinian girl killed in a Gaza car attack, is being censored due to its political sensitivity, distributor Manoj Nandwana of Jai Viratra Entertainment told Variety. Nandawana submitted the film for censorship approval in February and had planned a March 6 release to coincide with the March 16 Oscars. However, the CBFC has not cleared the film, with a member reportedly warning that its release “would break up the India-Israel relationship.” Nandawana disputed this claim, stating that the film has already been released in the U.S., U.K., Italy, France, and other countries with strong ties to Israel. The CBFC did not respond to Variety’s request for comment. The film, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival in September and won the Silver Lion, has faced challenges in India despite its international success. Last year, the CBFC also halted the release of Indian director Sandya Suri’s Oscar-shortlisted film “Santosh,” which explored caste and religious tensions in northern India. The censorship of “The Voice of Hind Rajab” comes amid heightened diplomatic ties between India and Israel. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s February visit to Israel marked the first such trip by an Indian leader in 25 years, strengthening economic and technological partnerships. Modi’s support for Israel contrasts with India’s historical alignment with Palestinian causes, raising questions about the CBFC’s decision to block the film’s release.#venice_film_festival #central_board_of_film_certification #manoj_nandwana #hind_rajab #jai_viratra_entertainment
The Voice of Hind Rajab, an Oscar-nominated film depicting the killing of a 5-year-old girl by Israeli forces during the 2024 Gaza conflict, has been denied certification by India’s Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), according to the film’s distributor, Manoj Nandwana. The theatrical ban was first reported by Hollywood trade publication Variety on March 19, 2026. Nandwana told The Hindu he anticipated the rejection, citing the film’s lack of approval from multiple festivals that require clearance from India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for movies without CBFC certification. He declined to pursue legal action against the decision, noting he had not received a written rejection from the CBFC. “Previously, we submitted a film called Land Jihad, and the Censor Board explicitly warned it could cause communal issues before rejecting it in writing,” he said. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the CBFC did not respond to The Hindu’s inquiries. A senior official revealed the film has been referred to a Revising Committee within the CBFC for review. Over the past two years, the board has censored films with progressive political messaging, often removing references to real-life political events or figures. While right-wing cinema has also faced heavy censorship, its core messages have generally survived the process, according to cutlists reviewed by The Hindu. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor condemned the ban as “disgraceful,” arguing that screening films reflects societal freedom of expression and is unrelated to diplomatic relations. He criticized the government for banning films that could harm foreign ties, calling it “unworthy of a mature democracy.#shashi_tharoor #central_board_of_film_certification #voice_of_hind_rajab #manoj_nandwana #bengaluru_international_film_festival
