London-based filmmaker Sandhya Suri’s latest film, Santosh, a gripping police thriller set in Uttar Pradesh, has been announced as the United Kingdom’s official entry in the international feature category for the Oscars 2025. The film, which premiered at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, captivated audiences with its intense narrative and compelling performances. With its Hindi dialogues and a deeply rooted storyline, Santosh has already made waves in the global film community.
The storyline revolves around a newly widowed housewife who inherits her late husband’s job as a police constable. As she steps into her new role, she finds herself entangled in the investigation of a young girl’s murder. Her journey from housewife to law enforcer offers a poignant exploration of social themes, which have been effectively woven into the fabric of the thriller.
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) officially confirmed the selection in a recent statement. “BAFTA is pleased to confirm that Sandhya Suri’s film ‘Santosh’ is the UK selection for next year’s Oscars’ International Feature Film Award,” it said. This decision places Santosh among the entries to be submitted to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) for the prestigious category, following the UK’s win with The Zone of Interest this year.
Sandhya Suri’s Santosh is also in the running for the First Film Competition Sutherland Award at the forthcoming BFI London Film Festival (LFF), set to begin next month. Critics have lauded the film as a “deft thriller,” which not only entertains but also provides a complex character study of a female police officer. Shahana Goswami’s portrayal of Santosh has been particularly praised for its depth and authenticity, capturing the character’s moral dilemmas amidst a backdrop of class, caste, and intolerance.
Suri, who also wrote the script, revealed in an interview with the Press Trust of India (PTI) that she did not intend to create a didactic film. “I don’t have a particular campaign or things that I must tick off. So, I don’t like didactic films,” she explained.
. Her aim was to depict a specific environment where issues such as misogyny, casteism, and religious intolerance are part of the social fabric. “It is more an observation than pushing through of messages,” she added, emphasizing that these societal issues can casually exist and persist.
The director drew on her Indian heritage and documentary filmmaking background to create her debut feature film. Shot over 44 days in and around Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, the production faced numerous challenges, particularly with capturing the authenticity of live locations amidst local festivities. “I wanted to shoot in UP because I’m originally from there,” she stated, noting that her documentary background insisted on a touch of reality.
She emphasized the importance of having a skilled local crew: “A director’s job is to choose their great crew. I had such a fantastic and experienced Indian crew who just knew how to take all of that in their stride,” Suri recalled. The film’s production showcased not only the director’s vision but also the seamless cooperation of the team in handling difficult situations with grace and efficiency.
Born and raised in Darlington, north-east England, Suri expressed her enduring connection to India, a country she feels deeply drawn to, partly because of her father’s love for it. After its screening at the London Film Festival and UK theatrical release, she eagerly anticipates its debut in India. “It’s been a struggle from the beginning of this quite complex film to have it work for both places,” Suri remarked. Ensuring its success in both the UK and India stands as a crucial achievement for her, bridging her identity as a UK filmmaker with strong Indian ties.
Santosh’s journey from Cannes to the Oscars spotlight underscores the universal appeal and relevance of its narrative, while highlighting Suri’s exceptional talent in bringing such a story to life. With plans for a wider release and increasing acclaim, the film promises to be a significant entry in the international cinematic landscape. As the excitement builds towards the Oscars 2025, all eyes will be on Sandhya Suri’s Santosh, eagerly watching to see if this poignant, powerful story will clinch one of the most coveted awards in the film industry.
