The Voice of Hind Rajab to Finally Release in India in June

Oscar-nominated film The Voice of Hind Rajab has finally received clearance from the Indian censor board and is all set to release in the theatres.

Directed by the acclaimed Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, the film tells the true story of Hind Rajab, a five-year-old Palestinian girl who was trapped in a car under fire in Gaza. The docudrama recreates her final hours using the actual audio of her desperate phone calls to emergency operators. While the film has earned global praise, including a 20-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival where it won the Silver Lion, its journey to Indian screens earlier hit a major roadblock.

However, now the film has been cleared for release without any cuts.

Reacting to the development, Kaouther Ben Hania wrote on Instagram, "What wonderful news. For weeks, I have received messages from Indian journalists, filmmakers, activists, and ordinary citizens who supported The Voice of Hind Rajab and defended its right to be seen. Your solidarity touched me deeply. I am also grateful to our distributor, Manoj Nandwana and Jai Viratra Entertainment Limited, who believed in the film and acquired it not only for India, but also for Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the Maldives and Afghanistan. Hind was a little girl whose voice should never have been silenced. Today, that voice will travel across South Asia and be heard by millions of people. Thank you to everyone who stood by the film. Thank you for reminding me that cinema can still cross borders, resist silence, and connect human beings."

A post shared by Kaouther Ben Hania (@kaoutherbenhania)

Manoj Nandwana, head of the Mumbai-based Jai Viratra Entertainment and the film’s local distributor, had submitted the film to the CBFC in February, hoping for a March 6 release to coincide with the buzz surrounding the Academy Awards on March 16. However, the certification was never granted to the film that was nominated in the Best International Film Category at the 98th Academy Awards. Nandwana revealed that a member of the censor board informally told him that releasing the film would break up the India-Israel relationship.

The film follows the true story of the Palestinian girl Hind Rajab. In January 2024, Rajab and her family members were trying to flee Gaza when the Israel Defence Force shelled their vehicle. While others were killed, Rajab and her cousin survived and contacted the Palestine Red Crescent volunteers, asking for help. After her cousin was also killed, Rahab was left stranded in the vehicle for hours on the photo, as paramedics tried to rescue her. However, both Rajab and the paramedics were also found dead in February. The film showcases the real-time phone calls between Hind and the Red Crescent volunteers.  

It will be released in India on June 19.