Santosh, Starring Shahana Goswami, Selected as UK's Oscar Entry 2025

The British Academy has nominated the film Santosh as the UK's official entry for the Oscars 2025 in the international feature film category. This decision follows the recent announcement of another Hindi film, Laapataa Ladies, as an Oscar contender from a different country. Santosh, which features Shahana Goswami and Sunita Rajwar in leading roles, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival this year under the Un Certain Regard section, gaining significant attention and acclaim. Directed by Sandhya Suri, the film tells the story of Santosh, a newly widowed woman in rural Northern India who takes on her late husband's role as a police constable. She becomes deeply involved in the investigation of a child's murder, highlighting themes of grief, resilience, and justice. The film's narrative is both gripping and poignant, reflecting the complexities of rural life and the challenges faced by women in such settings. Santosh is produced by a team of British producers, including Mike Goodridge and James Bowsher, and is backed by organizations such as BFI and BBC Film. The film's selection by BAFTA, the body responsible for choosing the UK's Oscar submissions, underscores its quality and the recognition it has received within the film industry. As it competes with other international films for a spot in the final nominations, the film's journey to the Oscars will be closely watched. The final list of nominees will be announced by the Academy in January 2025, and Santosh's selection marks a significant achievement for the filmmakers and the representation of Hindi cinema on a global stage.