Sandhya Suri's 'Santosh' chosen as UK's official Oscar 2025 entry
What's the story
The British Academy has chosen Sandhya Suri's Hindi-language crime thriller, Santosh, as the UK's entry for the Oscars's International Feature Film category.
This selection was made by BAFTA.
The film debuted in the Un Certain Regard competition at Cannes earlier this year. It now enters the Oscars race with added pressure following the UK's first win in this category last year with Jonathan Glazer's The Zone of Interest.
Plot and production
'Santosh' explores power dynamics in rural India
The film marks the feature debut of British-Indian filmmaker Suri, known for her documentaries I for India (2005) and Around India with a Movie Camera (2018).
Santosh is set in rural northern India and follows the story of a newly widowed woman who inherits her late husband's job as a police constable.
The film stars Shahana Goswami in the lead role, with Sunita Rajwar also featuring.
Critical acclaim
'Santosh' received praise for its portrayal of power
Santosh has been lauded for its intelligent depiction of power dynamics.
Variety described it as "whip-smart" and commended its commitment "to capturing the ugly allure of power through the perspective of those who wield it."
The film is set to be released in the US by Metrograph Pictures. This marks a significant milestone in Suri's career, adding to her already impressive portfolio of work.
It was produced by James Bowsher, Balthazar de Ganay, Mike Goodridge, and Alan McAlex.
Past submissions
UK's history in the Oscars's International Feature Film category
Before its recent win with The Zone of Interest, the UK had only two nominations in this category from 20 submissions.
These were for Welsh-language films Hedd Wyn in 1993 and Solomon & Gaenor in 1999.
Other British films submitted to this category include Winners by Hassan Nazer, Dying to Divorce by Chloe Fairweather, and The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor.