To the cookie settings To the main content To the footer

Santosh

Sandhya Suri
festival
Mon 28 Apr 25 - Sun 4 May 25
  • Caution with children up to 16 years of age

A gripping and compelling portrait of a strong and brave woman paints a bleak picture of a society where corruption and femicide are deeply embedded in a toxic system defined by caste, religion, and gender. 

If a policeman is killed in India, his wife is allowed to take over his position. After her husband dies in a riot, Santosh takes up the challenge. She encounters a lazy and corrupt police force that  brutalises civilians. When the body of a murdered lower caste girl is found, no policeman takes up the case. That ‘lowly’ task is handed over to Santosh. 
 
This police thriller shows how the heart of Indian society is torn apart by the caste system, hatred toward Muslims, and disdain for women. The story unfolds effortlessly with a flawless cast, helped by an elegant backdrop. It presents a powerful vision of modern India: female-driven, with subtle portraits in which right and wrong are rarely absolute. The film challenges the viewer to question what they would do in Santosh’s impossible situation. 

direction
Sandhya Suri
cast
Shahana Goswami, Sunita Rajwar, Pratibha Awasthy
duration
120 min
year
2024
country
India
language
Hindi
Subtitles
Dutch
  • Caution with children up to 16 years of age

festival

part of

Regisseur

Sandhya Suri

director

"U.K.’s Oscar Entry is a Taut Exploration of Gender Politics and Police Corruption." − The Film Stage