After her police constable husband is killed in remote northern India, Santosh Saini (Shahana Goswami), reluctantly assumes his role due to a government scheme where she can inherit his job. When a teenage low caste girl is found murdered and a Muslim boy is suspected, igniting protests in the local community, she takes an interest in the case. Written and directed by British born Sandhya Suri, Santosh was nominated for a BAFTA for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer and it was selected as the UK’s entry for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards.
As a thriller, this is quite a slow burn though it did pull me in once the investigation was fully under way. However, it really works as a critique of contemporary Indian society. Sexism, religious bigotry and caste discrimination – the latter bringing back memories of my favourite film of last year, Ava Duvernay’s Origin – are all touched on. It shockingly shows how someone who is normally a considerate and reasonable person can get swept up by peer pressure to commit a grievous act.
Goswami excellently portrays the rookie police officer who seems to have a natural aptitude for the job but cannot ultimately comprehend the affect it has on her. Sunita Rajwar is chillingly effective as her initially benign superior who it transpires will do anything to further her cause.
Santosh got a little lost in the awards race and had a very limited release. As it was co-funded by the BBC, it will hopefully find a bigger audience when the corporation airs it.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10