UK’s Oscar Submission: A Hindi Film

India-West News Desk

LOS ANGELES, CA – In a notable move, the UK has selected Santosh, a Hindi-language film set in rural India, as its official entry for the 2025 Oscars in the Best International Feature Film category. Directed by British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri, the film premiered at Cannes 2024 and has garnered critical acclaim.

Santosh follows the story of a widowed Hindu woman, played by Shahana Goswami, who inherits her late husband’s position as a police inspector. Her journey takes a dramatic turn when she is drawn into investigating the death of a young Dalit girl, shedding light on social and gender issues. The film also stars Sunita Rajwar, and its powerful narrative has been praised for its exploration of grief, justice, and social inequality.

Despite its Hindi-language setting and Indian backdrop, Santosh qualified as the UK’s submission due to its British production support. It will compete against Kiran Rao’s Lapaata Ladies.