- By Srishti Pandey
- Thu, 26 Sep 2024 01:14 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Shahana Goswami expressed her delight as her latest film, Santosh, was selected as the United Kingdom’s official entry for the 2025 Oscars under the Best International Feature Film category. The film, directed by British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri, is a Hindi-language police procedural that previously premiered at Cannes 2024 in the Un Certain Regard section. This recognition marks a significant milestone for the movie, which has been receiving attention for its bold storytelling and compelling performances.
Goswami, who plays the titular character in Santosh, shared her excitement and surprise at the film’s selection. “It was a very special project, and we (the team) worked incredibly hard on it. To have the film premiere at Cannes and now be chosen as the UK’s submission for the Oscars feels like a reward for all our effort. I’m especially proud of Sandhya (Suri), who conceptualised and directed the film,” said the actor in a conversation with Hindustan Times.
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The UK production, which also stars Sunita Rajwar, follows the journey of a widowed Hindu woman, played by Goswami, who steps into her late husband’s shoes as a police inspector. She becomes involved in an investigation led by a fierce feminist inspector, portrayed by Rajwar, into the death of a young Dalit girl. The film sheds light on socio-political issues while showcasing the strength and resilience of its female protagonists.
Sortie de #Cannes2024 : en salle en France aujourd'hui, #Santosh, première fiction de la réalisatrice indienne Sandhya Suri. L'actrice Shahana Goswami y interprète une jeune veuve qui hérite du poste de son défunt mari au sein d'une unité de police du Nord de l'Inde. Bientôt… pic.twitter.com/0BbxwOP24C
— Festival de Cannes (@Festival_Cannes) July 17, 2024
Reflecting on the challenges faced during filming, Goswami mentioned the tough shooting conditions. “It was a relentless shoot. We filmed for two months during the summer, enduring both extreme heat and heavy rainfall. Despite these conditions, the team’s energy and joy were infectious. We all worked towards a common goal,” she said in the same interview.
While the film has received international acclaim, Goswami expressed concerns about its release in India. “There’s always the question of whether a film like this will release in India. In India, cinema is often seen as a business or commodity, whereas in Europe, it’s treated more as an art form, with government support playing a significant role,” she explained.
Following its Cannes debut and critical acclaim, Santosh is being hailed as a strong contender for the Oscars, especially in the wake of the UK’s last submission, Anatomy of a Fall, winning the Best International Feature Film award. Goswami hopes that this recognition will help the film gain more visibility and encourage its release in India.
“I am very happy Santosh has been acknowledged, but I also recognise that many great films go unnoticed due to circumstances beyond the filmmakers' control. Ultimately, what resonates with audiences is the authenticity of a film’s vision, intent, and voice,” she added.