After making waves on the international stage, Shahana Goswami-starrer Santosh is gearing up for a theatrical release in India. The Hindi drama, which has recently been shortlisted for the 2025 Oscars in the Best International Feature Film category, will hit Indian theatres on January 10, 2025.
Set in rural North India, Santosh explores the gripping story of a young Hindu widow who inherits her late husband's role as a police constable. Caught in the web of institutional corruption, she becomes entangled in a murder investigation involving a teenage Dalit girl. Directed by Sandhya Suri, the film has garnered significant attention, especially after being selected by the United Kingdom as its official submission for the Academy Awards. Premiering at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in May 2024, Santosh received critical acclaim for its powerful narrative and strong performances.
Reacting to the Oscar shortlist announcement, Shahana Goswami expressed her delight on Instagram, praising the entire team, especially writer-director Sandhya Suri, for the recognition. "So happy for the team, especially our writer-director Sandhya Suri, for this little glory of recognition for our film Santosh! How incredible to be shortlisted from amongst 85 films. Thank you to everyone who loved it, supported it, and voted for it," she wrote.
With Santosh now making its way to Indian screens, audiences in the country will soon have the chance to experience this poignant, socially relevant film. The film, an international co-production involving the UK, India, Germany, and France, promises to be a compelling cinematic experience that sheds light on deep-seated social issues while showcasing remarkable performances.