Anuparna Roy clarifies Songs of Forgotten Trees is not banned in India

Anuparna Roy on Songs of Forgotten Trees: ‘My film is not banned or blocked in India’

13 September,2026 07:58 AM IST |  Mumbai  |  Priyanka Sharma

Anuparna Roy has clarified that Songs of Forgotten Trees is not banned or blocked in India. Speaking to mid-day, the filmmaker said the CBFC is working towards clearing the acclaimed drama for a domestic release

Anuparna Roy won Best Director at the Venice Film Festival in 2025. Pics/AFP, Instagram, Youtube

Your browser doesn’t support HTML5 audio

A day after reports claimed that Anuparna Roy’s acclaimed drama Songs of Forgotten Trees had been blocked in India, the filmmaker has set the record straight. Speaking to mid-day from Venice, Roy said the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is working towards clearing the film for a domestic release. “I am hopeful for the constitution of India, the Indian government, as well as the censor board. I am sure they are working their best to get our film out,” said Roy. The filmmaker’s second feature, Lovers in the Blue Night, premièred at the Venice Film Festival on September 11.

A still from ‘Songs of Forgotten Trees’

Roy also took to Instagram to clarify reports that Songs of Forgotten Trees had been banned in India. She wrote on her Instagram Story, “I think there has been some misunderstanding about my words as English is not my primary language. I wish to clarify that my film is not banned or blocked in India.”

‘Lovers in the Blue Night’ premièred at the Venice film festival on September 11

Songs of Forgotten Trees premièred at the 2025 Venice Film Festival, where Roy won the Orizzonti Award for Best Director for it. “My film stands for love, bonding, and humanity between two migrants,” she added. Since then, the film has travelled to several international and Indian festivals and now awaits its domestic release.

What is ‘Songs of Forgotten Trees’ about?

Starring Naaz Shaikh and Sumi Baghel, the film follows two women whose lives become intertwined in Mumbai

“Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!” Click here!
central board of film certificationbollywood newsBollywood News UpdateEntertainment NewsEntertainment News Update

• Tanya Maniktala wins IFFJK Best Actress for Arifa from Muhabbat Se

• Haiwaan BO day 2: Akshay Kumar film fails to overtake Mirzapur The Movie

• Salman Khan to launch bodyguard Shera’s son with THIS film

• ‘It’s all rumours’: Hanuman Ansh producer on reports of Rs 100 crore OTT deal

• Armaan Malik defends Amaal Mallik after Salman Khan fans call them ‘ungrateful’

• Watch: Alia Bhatt’s bodyguard pushes fan trying to take a selfie

• CINTAA data leak: Poonam Dhillon, Padmini Kolhapure seek Upasana Singh’s clarity

{{#allowed}}
{{#config.logo.enabled}}

{{/config.logo.enabled}}

{{/allowed}}