In a significant reversal, Kaouther Ben Hania’s Oscar-nominated feature “The Voice of Hind Rajab” has been cleared by India’s Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) that had blocked the politically sensitive film’s release in March.
After weeks of controversy in India over its initial censorship of the film – which tells the real story of a 5-year-old Palestinian girl who was trapped inside a car attacked by Israeli forces in Gaza and later found dead – the CBFC has now granted “The Voice of Hind Rajab” a so-called ‘A’ certificate, meaning the film has been cleared for theatrical release without any cuts, according to Mumbai-based Jai Viratra Entertainment.
Winning this censorship battle means “The Voice of Hind Rajab” will now get a theatrical release via Jai Viratra across India on June 19.
In March, Jai Viratra chief Manoj Nandwana told Variety that he had submitted “The Voice of Hind Rajab” for censorship approval in February, intending to release the film in India on March 6. But at the time the film was not been cleared for release with Nadawana being told by a CBFC member that “if it gets released it would break up the India-Israel relationship,” Nadawana said.
The CBFC’s alleged initial reluctance to clear “The Voice of Hind Rajab” came after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi traveled to Israel in late February, where he received a warm welcome, marking the first visit by an Indian premier in the 25 years since the two countries established full diplomatic relations. The visit, which aimed to strengthen economic and technological ties between the two countries, underscored a shift in Israel-India relations under Modi, whose embrace of Israel marks a departure from India’s foreign policy that has historically supported the Palestinians.
