In a groundbreaking move, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has selected Sandhya Suri’s crime thriller Santosh as the United Kingdom’s official entry for the International Feature Film category at the Oscars. This announcement has taken the internet by storm, especially as the film is in Hindi and features an entirely Indian cast.
Starring Shahana Goswami and Sunita Rajwar, Santosh is set in rural Northern India and follows the story of a newly widowed woman who assumes her late husband’s role as a police constable. She soon finds herself involved in the investigation of a young girl’s murder, creating an emotional and suspenseful journey. The film has been praised for its gripping storyline and strong character portrayal.
The selection of Santosh sparked a wave of online reactions. Notable public figures like Congress MP Shashi Tharoor expressed their surprise and excitement. Tharoor wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “How utterly astonishing that a Hindi-language film with an Indian cast is the UK’s official entry for the Oscars! Guess we should be rooting for it too!”
How utterly astonishing that a Hindi language film with an Indian cast is the UK‘s official entry for the Oscars! Guess we should be rooting for it too!https://t.co/BoArRcsscP
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) September 27, 2024
Many users joined the conversation. One user highlighted the global nature of filmmaking today: “Now, many Indians in the U.K. are teaming up with Europeans and making short films.” Another enthusiast, Nupur Luthra, added, “Looks like Bollywood’s charm has crossed oceans! Who knew the UK would send a Hindi film to the Oscars before we did?”
However, not all reactions were positive. Some users felt detached, questioning why Indians should celebrate. One commenter remarked, “It’s only Indians who get excited about such stuff!” Others saw this as a reflection of a globalized world, stating, “Language knows no boundaries!”
As Santosh gears up for the Oscars, it faces tough competition from global films, including Laapataa Ladies. Final nominations for the Academy Awards will be announced in January 2025, leaving cinema fans eager to see if Santosh can make it to the big stage.
