In a significant move, the British Academy has selected Sandhya Suri’s Hindi-language crime thriller Santosh as the UK’s official submission for the Oscars 2025 in the international feature film category. This comes after the UK’s historic win earlier this year with Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone Of Interest, adding an extra layer of excitement and pressure to the race.
Directed by British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri, Santosh premiered at Cannes 2024 in the Un Certain Regard competition. The film tells the gripping story of a newly widowed Santosh, played by Shahana Goswami, who takes on her late husband’s role as a police constable in rural northern India. When an underage girl from a lower caste is murdered, Santosh is drawn into the investigation by a feminist inspector, unravelling societal complexities along the way.
With strong performances and a powerful narrative, Santosh has already garnered critical acclaim. The movie boasts stunning cinematography by Lennert Hillege, a gripping score by Luisa Gerstein, and sharp editing by Maxime Pozzi-Garcia. Produced by an impressive team including James Bowsher and Mike Goodridge, it was co-financed by BBC Film, BFI, and other global partners.
Santosh is set for a US release by Metrograph Pictures. As the UK’s entry to the Oscars, it carries the hope of continued success in the international feature film category, after years of limited nominations.
Will Santosh be the next international sensation from the UK? All eyes are now on the road to Oscars 2025!
