Santosh: A personal story with a universal critique
Hindi-language film Santosh, Britain’s official entry for the Oscars in the Best International Feature Film category, has made the shortlist for the 97th Academy Awards. The film, British Indian director Sandhya Suri’s debut feature, explores systemic corruption, gender inequality, and caste-based oppression in contemporary India. It offers a stark and compelling portrayal of marginalized communities, particularly Dalit women. It combines a personal story of transformation with a universal critique of entrenched societal hierarchies. Santosh premiered in the Un Certain Regard section of the 77th Cannes Film Festival in May this year.
This emotionally charged narrative invites comparisons to other socially conscious films focusing on caste discrimination, including classics like Ankur (1974), and modern hits like Article 15 (2019), Sairat (2016), Masaan (2015), and Manjhi: The Mountain Man (2015). Yet Santosh distinguishes itself with its unflinching focus on the intersection of caste and gender disparities, delivering an impactful and uniquely personal story.
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What Works
Culturally and socially relevant themes
Santosh courageously exposes the horrific realities faced by Dalit women, highlighting systemic injustices and dehumanizing conditions. The film depicts caste-driven violence, emphasizing the vulnerability of women born into the underprivileged strata of society. Scenes involving the misuse of communal water sources and the exploitation of young girls stand out as particularly haunting, reflecting the pervasive inhumanity of such practices.
In its thematic focus, Santosh aligns with Article 15, which tackled caste oppression through the lens of an outsider’s investigation, and Masaan, which explored social taboos surrounding love and loss. However, Santosh sharpens its lens on gendered violence, carving out its unique perspective.
Powerful character arc
Santosh (Shahana Goswami), a widow who enters the police force after her husband dies in riots, provides the emotional core of the film. Her journey from an idealistic believer in justice to a disillusioned but resolute civilian fighting for justice is profoundly moving. Her piercing eyes and slender frame underscore her vulnerability while highlighting her inner strength and resilience.
Unlike Amit Masurkar’s Newton (2017), which features an idealistic bureaucrat navigating a corrupt election system, Santosh adds emotional resonance by intertwining its protagonist’s caste and gender identity. This layered narrative gives her struggle a deeply empathetic dimension.
Authentic performances
Goswami’s portrayal of Santosh is nothing short of remarkable. Her nuanced performance resonates deeply, from quiet moments of despair to stoic defiance. The mentorship dynamic with a seasoned senior female officer adds another layer of depth, demonstrating how camaraderie and empathy can sustain even the most broken spirits.
Though hardened and cynical, Santosh’s mentor Geeta Sharma (Sunita Rajwar) serves as a powerful foil to Santosh’s idealism. Her “manly” behavior—chain-smoking and beer-drinking to blend into a male-dominated environment—adds complexity. However, her ambiguous motivations and evolving relationship with Santosh remain tantalizingly unresolved.
Unflinching visual storytelling
Sandhya Suri’s direction vividly highlights the stark oppression of marginalized communities through powerful cinematography. Haunting imagery—such as a decrepit truck carrying the body of a Dalit teenager—drives home the film’s themes. This raw visual storytelling mirrors the visceral impact of Nagraj Manjule’s Marathi hit Sairat (2016), known for its brutal depiction of caste violence while maintaining its distinctly intimate focus on Santosh’s journey.
Empowering conclusion
The film’s conclusion, where Santosh abandons her police uniform to fight injustice as a civilian, is deeply poignant. Her small but meaningful gestures—leaving her gold hoops with the grieving Dalit mother and her stud earrings with a girl selling biscuits—symbolize her commitment to justice beyond institutional confines. This resolution feels both empowering and bittersweet, highlighting her transformation.
What Needs Work
Pacing and narrative flow
While the deliberate pacing enhances the film’s realism, the second act occasionally loses momentum. Certain scenes feel prolonged, which might test the patience of viewers accustomed to tighter narratives.
Underexplored relationships
Key relationships lack full exploration. For instance, the hostility from Santosh’s mother-in-law, who labels her a daian (witch) responsible for her husband’s death, is introduced with dramatic intensity but isn’t meaningfully revisited.
The senior officer’s mentorship is another intriguing subplot with unresolved elements. While her empathy for Santosh is evident, hints of ulterior motives—perhaps using Santosh as a scapegoat to advance her own career—are left ambiguous, which may leave some viewers seeking clarity.
Limited scope in resolution
Compared to Article 15, which offered a more expansive systemic critique, or Manjhi, which celebrated individual triumph over caste oppression, Santosh remains narrowly focused on its protagonist’s journey. While this focus is its strength, it may not fully satisfy viewers looking for broader societal commentary.
Santosh is a harrowing yet hopeful tale of resilience, courage, and justice. It critiques systemic oppression while celebrating individual transformation. Though its pacing and some unresolved subplots may detract slightly, the film’s emotional depth, outstanding performances, and bold socio-political commentary make it a standout entry for the Oscars. It makes you realize that even in democratic societies the police only protect a chosen few.
Santosh releases in New York City theaters on December 27th . It will show in additional U.S. cities in January 2025, including in San Francisco and Los Angeles.