December 18, 2024: India has another reason to celebrate as Santosh, a Hindi-language international co-production directed by Sandhya Suri, has been shortlisted for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2025 Oscars. The film, which was officially submitted by the United Kingdom for the prestigious award, is now one of the 15 films in the running for the category, out of the 85 films initially submitted by countries worldwide.
This recognition is a significant milestone, especially considering the competitive nature of the category. Santosh premiered earlier this year at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, where it received critical acclaim. The film’s inclusion in the shortlist is a testament to its impact and the strength of its storytelling.
The plot of Santosh revolves around a young Hindu widow, played by Shahana Goswami, who inherits her late husband’s job as a police constable in rural North India through a government scheme. She finds herself tangled in a web of institutional corruption while working with a veteran detective, Inspector Sharma (played by Sunita Rajwar), on a brutal murder case involving a teenage girl from the lower-caste Dalit community. The film’s exploration of societal issues such as corruption, caste dynamics, and women’s agency adds depth and relevance, contributing to its critical success.
On her social media, Shahana Goswami expressed her joy at the recognition, calling it a “little glory” for the film and a proud moment for the team. She thanked everyone who supported the project, especially the writer-director Sandhya Suri, for this “incredible” achievement of being shortlisted from 85 submissions.
The other films shortlisted for Best International Feature Film include:
- Armand (Norway)
- Dahomey (Senegal)
- Emilia Perez (France)
- Flow (Latvia)
- From Ground Zero (Palestine)
- The Girl With the Needle (Denmark)
- How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies (Thailand)
- I’m Still Here (Brazil)
- Kneecap (Ireland)
- Santosh (United Kingdom)
- The Seed of the Sacred Fig (Germany)
- Touch (Iceland)
- Universal Language (Canada)
- Waves (Czech Republic)
- Vermiglio (Italy)
While this is an exciting achievement, it’s important to note that being shortlisted does not guarantee a final nomination for the Academy Awards. The Oscar voting to determine the nominees in all categories will take place from January 8-12, 2025, with the final nominations being announced on January 17, 2025.
This is a proud moment for Shahana Goswami, Sandhya Suri, and everyone involved in the making of Santosh, as the film now stands a real chance of making it to the Oscars stage. The buzz around Santosh has definitely raised expectations, and fans of Indian cinema will be hoping that it continues its journey to the final nominations.
