The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has cleared The Voice of Hind Rajab, an Arabic film based on the killing of a five-year-old Palestinian girl during the Gaza war, without any cuts, ending months of uncertainty over its release in India, according to film’s Indian distributor Jai Viratra Entertainment Limited (JVEL). The distributor told HT on Tuesday that the movie had received certification from the CBFC and would release in cinemas on June 19.
“It is a miracle, I had no hope,” Manoj Nandwana, chairman of JVEL, told HT. “Usually, the CBFC would ask for a scene to be cut or a sentence to be muted, but this wasn’t the case.” He added that the film has been given an ‘A’ certificate and that it will be released in 150 theatres all over India.
The clearance comes nearly three months after the Tunisian-French production ran into trouble with the certification board. In March, Nandwana had alleged that members of the film’s examining committee had expressed concerns that the movie could affect India’s diplomatic relations with Israel as the film has certain sensitive scenes. The film was subsequently referred to a revising committee under the Cinematograph Rules for a fresh review.
Nandwana said he was unaware of what led to the film eventually being cleared, but suggested that public pressure may have played a role. “I don’t know what changed. Perhaps it was because many people spoke out against the film not being released,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}Nandwana said he was unaware of what led to the film eventually being cleared, but suggested that public pressure may have played a role. “I don’t know what changed. Perhaps it was because many people spoke out against the film not being released,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}Speaking with HT, CBFC chairperson Shashi Shekhar declined to comment on reasons behind the board’s decision to certify the film after months of uncertainty.
“There is a well-laid down revision process under which films are further reviewed post initial examination before a final decision is taken regarding certification,” he said.
The film is based on a five-year-old Palestinian girl, Hind Rajab, who was killed in Gaza in January 2024 after the car carrying her and her relatives came under fire. The film incorporates recordings of Rajab’s distress calls to emergency responders and depicts the human impact of the conflict.