‘Santosh’ Review | Tense Police Thriller Is the U.K.’s Oscar Entry

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As I sat in the theater, I found myself captivated by the raw intensity radiating from Shahana Goswami’s gaze, much like a fierce lioness on the hunt. This electrifying presence propelled her character, Santosh, throughout this gripping cinematic endeavor, right up to its chilling conclusion.

In her portrayal of a tenacious female police officer determined to solve a heinous crime in rural India, Goswami delivers an emotionally taxing performance that left me on the edge of my seat. The tension was so palpable at times, I could barely breathe. After two harrowing hours filled with unexpected twists and nerve-wracking suspense, writer-director Sandhya Suri’s masterful police thriller ultimately allowed me to release the breath I didn’t even realize I was holding.

This intriguing character study is filled with numerous suspenseful moments that keep you guessing throughout. The protagonist’s occasionally unpredictable actions add layers of mystery, making it an engaging, realistic experience reminiscent of a documentary. It may cause a temporary increase in blood pressure at certain points, while leaving others behind due to its deliberate pace and slow-unraveling mystery. However, persistence is richly rewarded as this unique story takes us to a distinctive setting, offering a breath of fresh air from the typical Western settings commonly found in police procedurals and crime dramas.

A Feminist Police Procedural

After losing your life partner, and having more than half of your life ahead, you might find yourself in a situation where tradition requires you to take over your late husband’s job in rural India, even if you are still young. This is the situation faced by Santosh Saini (Goswami), a determined yet desperate woman who appears willing to do whatever necessary to support herself independently.

Additionally, there’s an intriguing quality about Santosh’s composed exterior that suggests she may have hidden talents. It’s possible she is extraordinarily intelligent and well-suited for a role in law enforcement, beyond what the community perceives. To begin with, Santosh has a keen nose for identifying the harmful masculinity that pervades her workplace, a predominantly male environment headed by Chief Thakur (Nawal Shukla), who is instantly disliked.

In a situation where Santosh introduces a concerned father whose daughter has been missing for two days, Thakur unhesitatingly reveals his true nature by dismissing the case, much to Santosh’s dismay. This anger fuels Santosh, who then decides to work on the case under the tutelage of Sunita Rajwar, an outstanding investigator. Enter “Madame” Geeta Sharma, a powerful figure who heads a group of determined female detectives. Their current mission is to find the perpetrator behind the rape and murder of a local girl from a lower caste.

A Labyrinthine Crime Mystery Requires Patience

In some exceptional police procedural shows, whether they’re on TV or in movies, the main case doesn’t end when a suspect is arrested; instead, they delve deeper into the mystery even after that point. If you’re a viewer who checks the clock while watching, you might find that significant twists and turns, like those depicted in Santosh plots, often occur with plenty of time left in the story. You could easily assume the story is over before the halfway point.

Similar to how Jack Nicholson’s character in the 1974 film “Chinatown” finds himself in a simple case that spirals into something larger and more complex, Santosh discovers that her pursuit of justice is not as straightforward as she initially thought. It turns out to be morally gray and professionally challenging. Consequences are inevitable, and when Sharma and Santosh resort to orchestrating torture scenarios to extract information from their suspect, the ensuing chaos might not bring the sense of reward that Santosh was hoping for…

All Roads Lead to… Corruption?

Director Suri boasts an impressive background in documentaries, which is evident in her raw, engaging movie that doesn’t feature an original soundtrack for most of its runtime. The chase for the accused rapist-murderer by Santosh is skillfully captured with dynamic handheld camera work, keeping viewers on edge during the various pursuits in this tense police drama.

Ultimately, Santosh’s comments expose a deeply flawed law enforcement system that is resistant to change. Even in today’s world, gender still exerts a significant influence on power structures within offices worldwide. The extent to which those in control work to preserve a more male-dominated justice system can be disheartening.

Indeed, Santosh can be challenging to digest, striking both physically and emotionally, yet it showcases some of the best aspects of hard-hitting international cinema. Be prepared for a striking “final image” (though there are scenes following this), set on a train platform where a disheartened me watches a young couple in love from beyond the tracks. Suddenly, a train speeds past at an incredible speed, granting us fleeting glimpses of the couple gazing adoringly into each other’s eyes as they cling tightly.

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2025-01-07 05:02