Indian Drama, Santosh, Is Out This Week
Santosh, a Hindi language crime drama co-produced in part by the UK, was selected as the country’s entry for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars. And, while it didn’t take home the award, it’s still well worth a watch.
It follows a woman living in rural India who has recently lost her husband and inherits his job working as a police constable. After starting, she is pulled into a murder investigation under the guidance of a charismatic inspector. Here’s all you need to know.
What is Santosh about?
Santosh is directed by British-Indian film director Sandhya Suri, and stars actress Shahana Goswami (Midnight’s Children) as our lead character Santosh. In her late 20s, she is married for two years to her police constable husband who she loves deeply, until he tragically dies. She’s left grieving and picking up the pieces after he’s gone, and inherits his job. Santosh has to reorganise her life and mindset after she joins the police force, with not many other women in the profession to be able to lean on for support. The film explores many themes and elements of modern-day India, including religion and caste, particularly through its main plotline: Santosh hears from a father that her daughter is missing. When the girl’s body is found and it’s determined she was abused and murdered, the recently hired police constable is taken under the wing of Geeta Sharma (Sunita Rajwar).
Geeta is a prominent inspector within the ranks of the police, and a charismatic feminist. The two work together to find out exactly who the culprit was and their motive, as Santosh begins to see how the police operate, falling for bribery and often dealing out harsh, violent punishments. There’s also commentary on the divisions in society and the problems female officers face in their careers and day to day life, making it more than just a straight crime drama.
What else do we know, and where can I watch?
The film premiered last year at the Cannes Film Festival, receiving positive reviews from critics, and was released in India earlier this year. The film is set to be in cinemas here on 21st March.
