Santosh

A gripping, engaging, and naked depiction of reality of the society, it's casteism and how this thing affects the lives of people... Narration wise, acting wise, technical wise a brilliant movie. A gripping, engaging, and naked depiction of reality of the society, it's casteism and how this thing affects the lives of people... Narration wise, acting wise, technical wise a brilliant movie. A gripping, engaging, and naked depiction of reality of the society, it's casteism and how this thing affects the lives of people... Narration wise, acting wise, technical wise a brilliant movie. A gripping, engaging, and naked depiction of reality of the society, it's casteism and how this thing affects the lives of people... Narration wise, acting wise, technical wise a brilliant movie.

"There are two kinds of untouchables; those you don't want to touch, and those who can't be touched."

When a police officer is killed, his wife - Santosh - is trained to take his place. It is merely a ceremonial act in a police station in rural Northern India that is overwhelmingly male and traditional. Then a girl is raped, tortured, and her body dumped in a public square. The brazen crime isn't even investigated. Since the girl is from a poor family who can't read, they are ignored. It is then that something inside Santosh is triggered. Her task seems far from impossible, and yet public pressure builds and doors open that she never expected.

"The girl wore jeans and baited him."

The underground of India is revealed in this tense, observant, heart twisting, and powerful film. There is a glimpse of the justice system that prioritizes convictions by any means and ignores the real victims and perps. The film first surfaced at Cannes, and I saw it with director Sandhya Suri at the Toronto International Film Festival. It is all very moving. The film's spectacular imagery stays with me; the earrings of the dead girl, her face in the mirror, a lovely couple together, a girl selling biscuits, and a passing train.

Santosh is a cinematic masterpiece that transcends genres, leaving an indelible mark on your heart and mind. The film weaves together rich storytelling, compelling characters, and breathtaking visuals in a way that few others can. What sets Santosh apart is its ability to capture the essence of human emotion, from moments of joy to the most painful of experiences, with an authenticity that resonates deeply.

The performances are extraordinary, with the lead actor delivering a powerful, nuanced portrayal that keeps you invested in their journey. Every scene feels intentional, whether it's a quiet moment of reflection or a pivotal turning point. The direction is brilliant, making each frame feel like a work of art, beautifully framed and shot.

The score adds another layer of depth, elevating the emotional impact of the film without ever overpowering the storytelling. From start to finish, Santosh takes you on an unforgettable journey, challenging your perceptions while reminding you of the power of love, sacrifice, and resilience.

With its masterful combination of direction, acting, and an unforgettable narrative, Santosh is a film that will stay with you long after you've seen it. It's the kind of movie that reminds you why cinema is such a powerful medium - to touch hearts, provoke thought, and inspire change.

While it's narrative and structure does feel a bit thin, no doubt Sandhya Suri has an ambitious take on the corruption of Indian's police system, the caste system and the political issues surrounding in Indian.

Shot throughly well and provided with good production design, the direction maintains a good sense of atmosphere on approaching the narrative and the characters surrounding the environment. Alongside with a strong performance from Shaman Goswami. As a cop movie, the narrative does offer some interesting aspects but it does weaken as some of the average cliche approaches and the weak character developments don't really hold a very strong grasp.

Since the movie isn't a typical Bollywood story and made internationally, some of the approaches felt a bit too dense and biased that doesn't detract certain serious moments as the filmmaker would have wanted. But still, despite it's flaws, I found myself appreciating the aspects of the movie and it being a solid cop drama.

What an honor to be the first to write the review here!

I just saw this movie at the Sarajevo Film Festival, and I was immersed in it from the 1st moment. It's huge - bravo Sandhya Suri, bravo all the cast! What a realistic and technically flawless movie.

Very complex system (and the situation of misogyny) in India is neither easy to understand nor describe - Sandhya Suri did it very well. She couldn't let go the shocking events and painfully nonsensical injustices felt very deeply and obviously researched thoroughly - and she managed to portray it all here!

Thank you for this movie, on behalf of all the oppressed.

Big love and respect!