CHENNAI: The India release of Kaouther Ben Hania's Oscar nominated feature, The Voice of Hind Rajab, has been stalled after the film failed to secure certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), according to Variety.
The film’s Indian distributor said the project was submitted for certification in February with plans for a mid-March release ahead of the Academy Awards, but it has not been cleared for screening.
According to the distributor, Manoj Nandwana, concerns were raised that releasing the film could affect India’s relationship with Israel. He added that despite the film being released in several countries that maintain ties with Israel, it continues to face censorship in India.
The CBFC has not issued an official response on the matter.
Directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, the film is based on the death of a 5-year-old Palestinian girl during the Gaza conflict and uses real audio from her emergency call as part of its narrative.