India blocks Gaza film citing Israeli diplomatic concerns
Oscar-nominated docudrama on Palestinian child Hind Rajab halted in India, highlighting New Delhi’s pro-Israel stance and censorship concerns
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — Indian authorities have reportedly halted the release of an Oscar-nominated film about the killing of a Palestinian child in Gaza, with officials warning that screening the documentary could strain India’s diplomatic ties with Israel, according to the film’s local distributor.
Mumbai-based distributor Manoj Nandwana said India’s Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), the government body responsible for approving films for public release, did not grant clearance for The Voice of Hind Rajab, a docudrama directed by Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania.
Nandwana told entertainment industry publication Variety that he submitted the film for certification in February, hoping for a mid-March theatrical release ahead of the Academy Awards, but approval was never granted. He said authorities informally indicated that screening the film could affect India-Israel relations.
According to the distributor, officials warned that the film’s release could potentially disrupt diplomatic ties, a claim he dismissed by arguing that relations between the two countries were already strong.
The film recounts the killing of five-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab during Israel’s genocide in Gaza, as her family attempted to flee bombardment. The docudrama incorporates real audio recordings of the child’s distress calls to emergency responders, while actors portray those responding to her pleas.
Despite receiving an Oscar nomination for Best International Feature Film, the film did not win the award but has drawn international attention for its portrayal of civilian casualties during the Gaza war.
The reported halt comes as India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has deepened strategic and political ties with Israel. New Delhi was among the first governments to publicly express support for Israel following the Oct. 7 attacks, and bilateral cooperation between the two countries has expanded in areas including defense, technology and trade.
The CBFC has previously faced criticism for restricting films considered politically sensitive. In 2025, the film Santosh was withdrawn from theatrical release following concerns related to its portrayal of misogyny, Islamophobia and police violence, and its later planned streaming release was also prevented.
Nandwana noted that The Voice of Hind Rajab has already screened in countries including the United States and the United Kingdom, both close allies of Israel, raising questions about why Indian authorities would block its release.
The CBFC has not issued an official response regarding the film’s certification status.
The reported decision has fueled broader debate about censorship, freedom of expression and India’s increasingly close alignment with Israel, particularly as international scrutiny of the Gaza war continues.
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