What It’s About
In northern India, Santosh Saini (Goswami) is suddenly widowed when her policeman husband is killed in the line of duty. Rejected by her nasty in-laws, she takes advantage of a provision whereby she can replace her spouse and join the force. Supervised by senior female detective Geeta Sharma (Rajwar) she’s assigned to investigate the rape and murder of a low-caste girl. Through this process, Santosh witnesses the rot and injustice at the heart of the police, and society at large.
Why We Love It
Though not an easy watch, “Santosh” is an impactful eye-opener for hardy souls willing to stick with it. Through Santosh’s impressionable eyes, we see the demeaning ways male officers treat their female counterparts, not to mention criminal suspects. When the lower-caste father first reports his daughter missing, the authorities ignore his request and ridicule him. And when the boy romancing the girl gets arrested, his guilt is assumed, and he pays a brutal price. How will Santosh deal with all the corruption and violence swarming around her? Goswami is magnetic in the title role, and Rajwar is equally effective as her boss, whose interest in Santosh may be more than professional. Don’t miss this sobering, unflinching crime drama from writer/director Suri.