Indian film board blocks release of Oscar-nominated Gaza drama The Voice of Hind Rajab

The Indian release of The Voice of Hind Rajab, the Oscar-nominated Tunisian film about the death of a five-year-old girl during the Israel-Gaza war, has been blocked by the country’s ratings body, according to the film’s Indian distributor.In a report by Variety, Manoj Nandwana of Mumbai-based Jai Viratra Entertainment said that he was told that if the film was released, it would “break up” India-Israel relations.Nandwana said that he had submitted the film to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in February, with a view to releasing in mid-March, shortly before the Academy Awards. However, Nandwana said the film had not been approved for release. He said: “I told them: the India-Israel relationship is so strong that it’s idiotic to think this movie will break it.”Written and directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, the film depicts the death of Rajab in January 2024, as she and her family attempted to escape bombing in Gaza City. The film uses the actual audio of Rajab’s panicked phone conversation with emergency operators as she waited for help, with the latter played 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.Under prime minister Narendra Modi, India has been outspoken in its support for Israel, becoming one of the first countries to issue a statement after the 7 October attacks. In February, Modi undertook an official, two-day visit to Israel, during which numerous agreements were signed.The CBFC has a record of blocking the release of politically sensitive films, with the critically acclaimed Santosh pulled from its March 2025 debut in India due to concerns over its portrayal of misogyny, Islamophobia and violence in the Indian police force. Santosh was due for a streaming release in India in October 2025 but that was also blocked.Nandwana added that despite the film being released in the US, UK and other countries with diplomatic relations with Israel, “[CBFC] wants to censor it anyway”.The CBFC has been contacted for comment.