In a remarkable step forward for British-Indian cinema, Sandhya Suri’s compelling crime thriller Santosh (2024) has been chosen to represent the United Kingdom in the Oscars’ International Feature Film category. Following its successful debut in Cannes earlier this year, where it competed in the prestigious Un Certain Regard category, the Hindi-language picture is already generating a lot of attention. As the United Kingdom prepares for a second straight Oscar in this category, following its victory with Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest, all eyes are on Suri’s debut film to carry the baton forward.
‘Santosh’ is a fascinating and introspective crime thriller set in rural northern India, delving into the issues of caste and gender. The film introduces viewers to Santosh, a recently widowed woman who unexpectedly inherits her late husband’s job as a police constable.
Played by the versatile Shahana Goswami, Santosh is quickly thrust into an investigation of the murder of an underage girl from a so-called “lower caste.” Her journey, shaped by moral conflict and systemic injustice, is further complicated when she’s paired with a feminist inspector—bringing to the fore a narrative that not only highlights the caste divide but also exposes the personal and societal pressures that come with Santosh’s new role.
Sandhya Suri, best known for her documentaries “I for India (2005)” and “Around India with a Movie Camera (2018)”, makes a seamless transition to fiction with “Santosh”. The movie, which is rich in texture and emotional depth, has a strong crew behind the scenes, featuring a haunting score by Luisa Gerstein and sharp cinematography by Lennert Hillege.
While Santosh gears up for the Oscars race, it has already left a significant mark on the global festival circuit. Notably, it is set to compete at the 68th BFI London Film Festival (LFF) for the Sutherland Award, which recognizes the most original and imaginative directorial debuts. This nomination not only confirms Suri’s standing as a rising star in global cinema, but it also places Santosh among the best new films in 2024.
Alongside other impressive Indian entries, such as Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine as Light and Reema Kagti’s Superboys of Malegaon, Santosh will compete with films from around the globe from October 9-20 at the LFF.
As the Oscars race intensifies, Santosh’s compelling narrative and timely social commentary could be what propels it forward in the competition. With the U.K. aiming for back-to-back wins in the International Feature Film category, Suri’s debut offers a deeply resonant and thrilling experience, solidifying her as a filmmaker to watch on the global stage.
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Source: highonfilms.com
