Santosh (2024) – A Quietly Devastating Crime Drama That Holds Up a Mirror to Society

In an era of cinematic spectacle, where loud storytelling often drowns out subtle truths, Santosh (2024) emerges as a rare voice of quiet resistance. Directed by Sandhya Suri and starring the formidable Shahana Goswami, this Hindi-language crime drama is not just a film—it’s an indictment, a meditation, and above all, a mirror to the deeply entrenched social fault lines in India.

Plot Overview: A Uniform, A System, A Disappearance

The story follows Santosh Saini (Shahana Goswami), a 28-year-old widow in rural North India who is appointed as a police constable through India’s "compassionate appointment" system. Her induction into the force—meant to be a financial lifeline—turns into a moral and emotional crucible when she’s assigned to a case involving the disappearance of a Dalit girl.

As Santosh struggles to find her footing in the bureaucratic jungle of law enforcement, she is mentored (and later morally tested) by the hardened Inspector Geeta Sharma (Sunita Rajwar). What begins as a procedural case morphs into a layered exploration of caste, gender, institutional rot, and the psychological toll of complicity.

Shahana Goswami Shines in a Career-Defining Role

Goswami’s portrayal of Santosh is a triumph of minimalism and emotional nuance. Her journey from silence to subdued resistance is portrayed not through big dramatic flourishes but through body language, pauses, and glances. She doesn’t speak much—but when she does, it cuts deep.

Sunita Rajwar provides a chilling counterpoint as Geeta Sharma, a woman who has long survived the system by becoming a part of its machinery. Their on-screen dynamic—mentor and protégé, complicity and doubt—provides the dramatic tension that holds the film together.

Themes: Complicity, Caste, and the Illusion of Justice

At its core, Santosh is about the quiet violence of systems. It doesn’t shout about injustice—it shows it in everyday indifference, in stalled files, in interrogations that turn brutal without consequence. The disappearance of a Dalit girl is symbolic: justice for the marginalized remains out of reach, not due to a lack of evidence but a lack of will.

Santosh’s moral evolution (or erosion) is the heart of the film. As she begins to internalize the apathy and brutality around her, we’re left to wonder: is she adapting to survive, or is she becoming the very thing she once feared?

Realism That Cuts Deep

The film’s visual language mirrors its themes—gritty, raw, and relentlessly grounded. Cinematographer Swagat Sengupta opts for natural lighting and wide frames that emphasize the suffocating vastness of rural life. There are no stylized montages or soaring soundtracks—just the weight of realism.

Suri also employs non-professional actors in many supporting roles, further blurring the lines between documentary and drama. The result is a world that feels lived-in, painfully real, and hauntingly familiar.

Controversy: Censored at Home, Acclaimed Abroad

Despite critical acclaim at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, Santosh has faced censorship in India. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) refused to clear the film for public release, citing its portrayal of police brutality and caste-based discrimination as "sensitive."

Ironically, this only validates the film’s thesis: that institutions fear truth, especially when it challenges the status quo. International critics, on the other hand, have embraced the film. The Guardian called it “terrifically tense,” and the Financial Times praised its “documentary-like edge” and the moral complexity of its female characters.

Verdict: A Must-Watch for Serious Cinema Lovers

Santosh is not your average crime thriller. It doesn’t offer closure, nor does it provide a satisfying moral arc. Instead, it forces you to sit with discomfort—to question whether justice is even possible in a system designed to exclude and oppress.

If you're a fan of socially-conscious cinema that prioritizes truth over entertainment, Santosh deserves your attention. It may not be screening in Indian theatres (yet), but its message echoes loudly, wherever it is seen.

Final Rating: 4.5/5

+ Powerful performances, especially from Shahana Goswami

+ Sharp, unflinching social commentary

+ Realistic visuals and immersive storytelling

– Pacing may feel slow for some viewers

– Censorship limits accessibility within India