Santosh Review:
So I just watched Santosh on Lionsgate Play, and wow — I’m still sitting with it. It’s not the kind of film that blows you away with big, dramatic moments or flashy twists. Instead, it slowly pulls you into a world that’s uncomfortable, painfully honest, and, honestly, kind of haunting.
Directed by Sandhya Suri, Santosh follows a young widow (played by the always-incredible Shahana Goswami) who’s given a police constable job after her husband dies in the line of duty. She’s thrown into this rigid, male-dominated system that wasn’t built for people like her — and just when she’s trying to find her footing, she gets assigned a horrific rape and murder case involving a Dalit girl. From there, the story quietly unpacks caste, gender, power, and the messiness of justice in rural India.
Let me be clear: this is not an easy watch. It’s heavy, slow, and deeply unsettling at times. But that’s exactly why it works. The film doesn’t force its message down your throat. It just lets the truth sit there — raw, quiet, and undeniable.
Shahana Goswami is unreal in this. Her performance is so restrained, so layered — you can feel the internal conflict even when she says nothing. And Sunita Rajwar (who you might recognize from Panchayat) is brilliant as her senior officer. Their dynamic is subtle but says a lot about power and survival.
What also struck me is how stripped-down everything feels. There’s no overdone score or dramatized scenes. The visuals are simple but atmospheric, and the whole thing almost feels like a documentary at times. It’s clear the filmmakers weren’t interested in sensationalizing anything — they just wanted to tell the truth, and they did.
Also, side note — the film almost didn’t release in India because of censorship issues. Apparently, the censor board wanted several cuts (because it deals so openly with caste and police corruption), and the filmmakers refused to compromise. Respect. Thankfully, Lionsgate Play picked it up, and now Indian audiences can finally watch it the way it was meant to be seen.
Final Take:
If you’re into fast-paced thrillers or need your films tied up neatly with a bow, Santosh might not be your thing. But if you’re okay sitting with discomfort, and you want to watch something real — something that says a lot without shouting — this is absolutely worth your time.
Quiet, gripping, and emotionally honest. Santosh stays with you long after it ends.
Rating: 4/5
