After months of delay and controversy, the critically acclaimed Hindi film Santosh, starring Shahana Goswami, is finally set to release in India. The film will make its digital debut on Lionsgate Play on October 17, 2025.
Directed by British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri and produced by Good Chaos, Cinefrance Studios, and MetFilm Production, Santosh premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in May 2024. It was later selected as the United Kingdom’s official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards and earned a BAFTA nomination for Best Debut Feature.
The film follows the story of Santosh, a young widow who inherits her late husband’s position in the police force through a compassionate appointment. Her symbolic placement turns into a harrowing journey when she is assigned to investigate the rape and murder of a Dalit teenager. Partnered with Inspector Geeta Sharma, played by Sunita Rajwar, Santosh must navigate a landscape riddled with caste prejudice, gender bias, and institutional corruption.
Despite its international success, Santosh faced significant hurdles in India. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) blocked its theatrical release, citing concerns over the film’s portrayal of police violence, misogyny, and Islamophobia. The filmmakers declined to make the requested cuts, leading to a deadlock that prevented its cinema release earlier this year.
Speaking about the film, Shahana Goswami expressed deep personal connection to the project. “Santosh is a film that is very close to my heart. A beautifully written story, depicted truthfully, holding up a mirror to us of the world we live in,” she said. Goswami also praised her co-star Sunita Rajwar for her powerful performance as Inspector Sharma, calling it a “completely new avatar” for the seasoned actress.
With its digital release now confirmed, Santosh is poised to reach Indian audiences for the first time, offering a poignant and unflinching look at the intersection of caste, gender, and justice in rural India.
