242. Israel is a very sensitive topic for India 

The Voice of Hind Rajab, an Oscar-nominated Tunisian film about a five-year-old girl's death during the Israel-Gaza conflict, has been banned by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). 

Jai Viratra Entertainment, the distributor, stated that the CBFC warned him that releasing the film could damage India-Israel relations.

Written and directed by Kaouther Ben Hania, the film depicts the death of 6-year-old Rajab, who is trapped in a car under fire in Gaza on January 29, 2024, as she and her family try to escape the bombing in Gaza City. Red Crescent volunteers receive an emergency call, pleading for rescue. While trying to keep her on the line, they do everything they can to get an ambulance to her. 

The film features Rajab's real audio from her panicked phone call with emergency responders as she waits for help, with the actors portraying the responders. 

It was nominated for the Best International Feature Film Oscar but did not win because many major industries are dominated by Jews.

The Voice of Hind Rajab was one of three films about Hind Rajab released around the same time. The Dutch short film Close Your Eyes Hind, along with the Jordanian short Hind Under Siege, also premiered in October 2025.

The film is a co-production between Tunisia and France. Kaouther Ben Hania says, “I was mentally preparing to finally enter pre-production on a film I had been writing for ten years. Then, during a layover at LAX, I heard an audio recording of Hind Rajab begging for help. I contacted the Red Crescent and asked them to let me hear the full audio. It was about 70 minutes long and harrowing. After listening to it, I knew, without a doubt, that I had to drop everything else. I had to make this film.”

The film seems very sensitive, and such stories should be shared. It is unfortunate that Israel is such a sensitive topic for India. 

While it's understandable for the government to take a stand in the national interest, I worry that if India’s relationship with Israel is so delicate that a film can significantly damage it, then this indicates the relationship is neither strong nor authentic and likely won't endure over time.

In October 2025, the CBFC also blocked the release of the critically acclaimed film Santosh due to its portrayal of misogyny, Islamophobia, and violence in the Indian police force.