Written and directed by award-winning British-Indian debut filmmaker, Sandhya Suri’s film, Santosh, starring Shahana Goswami and Sunita Rajwar is all set to release in UK cinemas this Friday on 21st March 2025. Vertigo Releasing and Civic Studios distribute the critically acclaimed crime thriller.
Santosh delves into a mystery. When a government scheme sees newly widowed Santosh inherit her husband’s job as a police constable in the rural badlands of Northern India she is in for a shock. When a low-caste girl is murdered, Santosh is pulled into the investigation by charismatic feminist inspector Sharma what happens is a tale of transformation both bad and good, in this must see film.
In preparation for writing Santosh, Suri researched female police constables, learning of the government scheme of appointment on compassionate grounds’, meaning that eligible dependents of deceased police officers can inherit their jobs. Suri spoke to many widows, which provided valuable insight into what these women went through: “Some of these women had lived very sheltered lives, rarely leaving the house without their husband. I was struck by the journey from housewife to widow, to policewoman. It was a journey that I wanted to write about, and one that I wanted to watch.”
The film has garnered unanimous international plaudit, with 14 award nominations and seven wins including a BAFTA nomination for Outstanding Debut By A British Writer, Director Or Producer; British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) win for Best Screenplay; and recognition by the National Board of Review within the Top 10 Independent Films of the Year. The film also earned a nomination at Cannes Film Festival 2024 in the Un Certain Regard category; was nominated for the Sutherland Award for Best Film Feature at BFI London Film Festival; and was the UK’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the Academy Awards, advancing to the top 15 films long list.
Check out this new sneak peek
The inspiration behind Santosh traces back to Suri’s time in India, collaborating with various NGOs. She recounts encountering an image of female protestors during the aftermath of the 2012 Nirbhaya case, a moment that left a lasting impression. Reflecting on the photograph, Suri shares, “There was an image of a huge crowd of angry female protestors, faces contorted with rage, and a line of female police officers, forcing them back. One of these police officers had such an enigmatic expression. I became fascinated with her. What separates her from those protesting, and what power does her uniform wield over those without it? Exploring this violence and this woman’s power within it felt exciting.”
Santosh will be released in cinemas across the UK and Ireland on 21st March 2025, distributed by Vertigo Releasing.
