Independent Indian film director Anuparna Roy reported that her debut film, which received high honors at the Venice Film Festival, was banned by censors and will not be shown in her home country.
The film 'Songs of Forgotten Trees' won the Best Director award in the Horizons section at the 2025 Venice Film Festival. However, Roy's joy from attending one of the world's most prestigious film events was overshadowed by news of a powerful Indian film council's decision to block the distribution of her first feature film.
Roy expressed her indignation, stating that she was told the film was considered a 'threat to society.' She emphasized that she represented the country and brought awards for it, expressing deep disappointment over the censorship.
'Songs of Forgotten Trees' tells a touching story about the friendship of two migrant women living together in Mumbai: one works part-time as a sex worker, and the other is a call center employee.
The film's difficulties resonate with the more politicized work 'Santosh' by British-Indian director Sandhya Suri. This film garnered critical acclaim after its premiere in Cannes in 2024 but also faced censorship. 'Santosh' highlighted issues of sexism, religious discrimination, and corruption in the Indian police, as well as the treatment of lower castes.
Roy is currently in Venice with her second film, 'Lovers of the Blue Night.' This picture also touches upon sensitive themes, depicting Bangladeshi migrants struggling with poverty, grief, and their sexuality in Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay.
Before Friday's premiere, Roy stated that her goal was to showcase a different side of Bombay, as all the beautiful films about it had already been made. Her new film participates in the Horizons section, which provides a platform for emerging filmmakers, with results to be announced on Saturday.
Roy believes that opportunities for independent filmmakers in India are limited, due both to the dominance of mainstream Bollywood content in theaters and political pressure. She noted that it is easier to create propaganda films that praise the government than to engage in independent art.
There is also concern that her public statements in support of Palestinian rights may have caused issues with the film council. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) reviews releases and has the authority to demand changes or completely ban distribution.
Despite a long history of censorship in the world's largest democracy, the Hindu nationalist government of Narendra Modi has reportedly increased pressure since taking power in 2014, according to human rights groups and critics.
Roy belongs to a new generation of female directors from India, among whom is Payal Kapadia, whose film 'All We Imagine As Light' achieved international success at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024. Roy is largely self-taught, having mastered filmmaking through friends and mentors. Several years ago, she worked in a call center in New Delhi, having moved from her family home in Purulia, a coal region in West Bengal state in eastern India. Moving to Mumbai in 2023, she found in this city, nicknamed the 'Maximum City,' a rich source of inspiration, combining pulsating energy and harsh struggles. Her task is to convey empathy for her characters. She added that her mentors constantly advised her to avoid any language of pity or romanticization of poverty.