Shahana Goswami and Sunita Rajwar-starrer Santosh selected as UK’s official entry for Oscars

British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri’s Santosh has been selected as the UK's official entry for the Oscars 2024 in the Best International Feature Film category. The film, starring Shahana Goswami and Sunita Rajwar, has already garnered attention since its world premiere at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in 2024. This is an exciting development for Suri, who makes her feature directorial debut with this Hindi-language project, offering a profound look at life in rural North India.

Santosh Becomes UK’s Offical Oscars 2024 Entry

Santosh presents a poignant narrative set in rural North India, following the life of a 28-year-old widow, played by Shahana Goswami, who takes on a job as a constable after her husband’s passing. Her character’s journey intensifies when she is enlisted by a progressive female inspector, played by Sunita Rajwar, to investigate the brutal murder of an underage girl from a lower caste. The film explores themes of justice, caste, and gender dynamics, all framed within the socio-political landscape of India’s rural communities.

Santosh made its international debut in the Un Certain Regard section at the 77th Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. This section is known for showcasing films that tell unique, often politically or socially significant stories, and Santosh was no exception. The film’s thematic focus on caste-based violence and women's empowerment resonated with both audiences and critics.

India’s Official Entry For Oscars 2024

On the other hand, India has chosen Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies as its official submission for the same category. Starring Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, and Ravi Kishan, the film tells a lighthearted yet poignant tale. However, a recent social media post by the makers of SwatantryaVeer Savarkar caused some confusion, as they claimed the biopic had been submitted for the Oscars. This led to speculation regarding India’s official entry. The Film Federation of India (FFI) quickly clarified that Laapataa Ladies is the only official submission from India for the 2024 Oscars.

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