The film’s selection for the Cannes Film Festival and later the Oscars was met with joyous celebration by Suri and her family. Her next project, set in a dystopian world, will continue to build on the lessons learned from Santosh…writes Sukant Deepak
In a remarkable move, the United Kingdom has selected Santosh, a Hindi-language film directed by Sandhya Suri, as its official entry for the 2025 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. The film, a gripping tale of a young widow who inherits her late husband’s police constable job and investigates a murder, addresses themes of violence, gender dynamics, and personal empowerment.
Reflecting on her inspiration, Suri recalls a powerful image from the 2012 Nirbhaya protests in Delhi that sparked her interest. “The image of angry female protesters facing a line of female police officers stayed with me,” she told IANS. The dichotomy between the uniform’s power and the everyday woman’s vulnerability fueled her research into female police constables appointed through a government scheme for dependents of deceased officers.
Suri was moved by the transformation of women from sheltered housewives to empowered police officers. “This journey—from housewife to widow to policewoman—was a story I wanted to tell and see on screen,” she said.
Santosh stands out as the first Hindi-language film chosen by the UK for this prestigious category. Suri’s background in mathematics and documentary filmmaking, including works like I for India and Around India with a Movie Camera, informed her unique approach to storytelling. The script, developed during the Sundance Scriptwriters’ Lab, underwent extensive research and character development to maintain authenticity.
The protagonist, Santosh, is portrayed as a realistic figure, not fitting into the typical diasporic or upper-middle-class mould. “Santosh does not speak English. She is a constable. I wanted to keep that authentic,” Suri emphasized.
The film’s selection for the Cannes Film Festival and later the Oscars was met with joyous celebration by Suri and her family. Her next project, set in a dystopian world, will continue to build on the lessons learned from Santosh.
Suri acknowledges the challenges indie and documentary filmmakers face in securing distribution but remains optimistic. “If the film is strong and engaging, it will find its audience,” she said, stressing the importance of daring distributors.
Anushka Shah, CEO of Civic Studios, praised Suri’s work, highlighting the film’s exploration of Britain’s colonial legacy in India’s policing system. “It’s a thriller that keeps you on the edge while offering universal appeal through engaging storytelling,” she said.
Santosh is not only a poignant narrative about a woman’s empowerment but also a commentary on systemic issues, resonating with audiences worldwide.
