The advent of OTT platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+Hotstar has reshaped the landscape for filmmakers, providing them with greater freedom of expression. Among the movies that faced censorship by the Censor Board of Film Certification, citing reasons related to se*uality, religion, or taboo subjects, several have found a new lease on life through these digital platforms. Here’s a list of five Indian films that were once banned but are now accessible on OTT platforms:
“Unfreedom”: This film revolves around a lesbian daughter rebelling against an arranged marriage in India while a religious fundamentalist targets an anti-extremist scholar in New York. Despite facing a ban in 2014, it’s available for viewing on Netflix.
“Gandu”: “Gandu” sparked numerous controversies and despite premiering at various film festivals, it never saw a theatrical release in India. However, it can now be watched on Netflix.
“Fire”: Dealing with the themes of homosexuality and religion in the 90s, “Fire” incurred the wrath of the censor board. It’s currently accessible for viewing on YouTube.
“Paanch”: Anurag Kashyap’s directorial debut, “Paanch,” is loosely based on the Joshi-Abhyankar serial murders in Pune during 1976-77. While it faced bans, it’s now available on the online streaming platform Mubi.
“Angry Indian Goddesses”: Initially banned and later subjected to heavy edits proposed by the censor board, “Angry Indian Goddesses” never made it to theaters but found its way to Netflix, allowing audiences to finally experience the film.
The shift to OTT platforms has allowed these previously restricted films to reach audiences despite the hurdles faced during their original release. It’s a testament to the changing landscape of content consumption, enabling viewers to access diverse narratives that were once deemed too controversial for traditional theatrical distribution.