The British Academy has chosen the Hindi film Santosh, directed by British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri, as the UK’s official entry for the Oscars in the International Feature Film category. The film has already gained attention after being showcased at the Cannes Film Festival under the Un-Certain Regard competition.
A Story Rooted in North India
The movie Santosh is set in a rural village in North India and revolves around a woman named Santosh, played by Shahana Goswami. After her husband’s sudden death, Santosh takes on his job and becomes a police constable. Her life takes a drastic turn when she is drawn into investigating the murder of a young girl from a marginalized community.
As the investigation unfolds, Santosh delves into the themes of justice, gender, and societal inequalities, making it a thought-provoking crime thriller. The film’s focus on a female police officer adds a unique angle, bringing attention to the often-overlooked struggles of women in law enforcement in India.
Inspired by Real-Life Events
Director Sandhya Suri shared that her inspiration for Santosh came from a personal experience while working with an NGO in India. During her research, she was deeply moved by an image of women protesting during the infamous Nirbhaya gang rape case. This led her to explore the lives of female police officers, eventually inspiring her to create Santosh as a platform to address violence against women.
A Strong Team Behind the Film
The film boasts a talented cast and crew. Shahana Goswami plays the lead role with Sunita Panwar also in a key role. Luisa Gersten has composed the music, while Lennart Hilleg is the film’s cinematographer. The production team includes James Bosher, Balthazar de Ganay, Mike Goodridge, and Alan McAlex.
While Santosh is a UK entry, it remains an Indian story at heart, drawing attention to the challenges and resilience of women in rural India.
