Shahana Goswami from BAFTA-nominated film, ‘Santosh’ talks to BizAsia

Shahana Goswami, the lead star of the critically acclaimed crime thriller ‘Santosh’ spoke exclusively to BizAsiaLive.com.

Goswami has previously delivered compelling performances in films like ‘Rock On!!’, ‘Firaaq’, and ‘Midnight’s Children’, as well as acclaimed series such as ‘Bombay Begums’ and ‘The Broken News’.

The BAFTA-nominated film hits cinemas on 21st March 2025. The story follows newly widowed Santosh, who, under a government scheme, inherits her late husband’s job as a police constable in the rural badlands of Northern India. When a low-caste girl is murdered, Santosh finds herself drawn into the investigation by the determined and charismatic Inspector Sharma.

How do you feel about ‘Santosh’ being selected as the UK’s official entry for the Oscars 2025 in the Best International Feature Film category?
I just felt like it was such a great opportunity for the film to be talked about and watched by filmmakers and the industries. The academy includes so many people from all over the world and from various film industries all over the world. And so, it was just a great opportunity for the film to be watched by so many artists and creative minds and talents from various parts of the world. And I think that’s what really made it even more special when we were shortlisted or rather in the long list of the 15 films that made it to the next level, which was a sign of, like I said, the global audience or the global industry members who watched it, who took time out to watch it and vote for it and make it count as one of the top 15 of their selections.

So I was really, really happy to see that journey and it made me realize also that the film really speaks to people across cultural boundaries and backgrounds and no matter which country I think there is a resonance that holds true and rings true for humanity and society in general and in this case it is specific to India but it kind of rings true for any society really to some varying degree or the other.

‘Santosh’ has received positive reviews and accolades. How do you feel about the film’s reception at international festivals like Cannes, BAFTAs, Oscars?
It’s always nice when a film is watched by a large international audience and of course film festivals are a great opportunity because you have so many people from the film world that are watching, participating and propagating the films of that year. And so to be a part of this kind of festival allows for the film to be viewed and regarded in a sense, get a kind of stamp of approval from across the board, even from people who have not yet watched it. It creates a kind of curiosity towards the film and perhaps even allows for there to be a desire and a push for the film to be watched by people who have heard of it or who know of, the fact that it’s made it to these prestigious festivals. So, I feel like the fact that it was selected and has been made a part of these various celebrations of cinema both in terms of festivals and awards has created a very positive buzz around it but also the actual reception of it in terms of audience responses and reviews across the board both Indian and international has been really wonderful and really heartfelt. I want to say and again that is a very gratifying feeling just to see that people feel moved and responsive to a film that was made to reflect upon society ourselves and kind of create some sort of a stirring in us. So it’s nice to see that stirring has been created, you know, not just across different film festivals, but across different countries, across different kinds of audiences, both people that love watching cinema, filmmakers, critics and just audiences in general.

Characters allow you to tap into suppressed emotions and express them in a safe space.

What were the most challenging aspects of portraying ‘Santosh’, especially given the film’s intense themes?
You know, ‘Santosh’ might seem like a difficult character to play, but honestly, she’s so well-written and alive. What I mean is, she’s always reacting and responding in real time, which actually made it easier for me as an actor—I could just lean into the moment. So, I wouldn’t say portraying her was particularly challenging. Of course, certain scenes made me nervous or led to overthinking, but the rigorous nature of the shoot left little time for that. Most of the prep work was done beforehand through detailed discussions with Sandhya about the script, ‘Santosh’s’ motivations, and the layers of emotions she experiences. That foundation helped me shift in and out of character—a crucial skill for a film actor, since unlike theatre, where you’re in character throughout, film is shot in segments, out of order. You have to be both a performer and a collaborator—balancing the actor’s instinct with the practical demands of filmmaking. For me, acting is often cathartic. Characters allow you to tap into suppressed emotions and express them in a safe space. ‘Santosh’, in particular, became a vessel for me to explore and release certain unspoken aspects of myself.

How was your experience working with director Sandhya Suri and the rest of the cast?
It’s always a pleasure to work with a director who has created the world you’re inhabiting and the characters you’re embodying. Sandhya is an excellent writer, and she has crafted ‘Santosh’ beautifully, with remarkable finesse. As a keen observer of life and the human experience, she has captured the essence of this world and society in a way that is both strong and poignant, yet soft and gentle. I truly enjoyed bringing ‘Santosh’ to life as she envisioned. The casting process was also incredible — Sandhya, along with Mukesh and his team, selected actors and non-actors alike, ensuring an authentic, real feel to the film. Many of those cast were people she encountered during her travels, which added to the film’s rawness. Working with Sunita was particularly enriching. As a seasoned NSD actor, she embodied a complex character with such ease, and I learned a lot from her. But beyond the cast, acting in film is about collaboration — not just with co-stars but with the entire team. We had a fantastic crew—our cinematographer Leonard, production designer Devika, costume designer Bhagyashri, the entire direction team, producers, and co-producers—everyone was fully committed to bringing Sandhya’s vision to life. Their dedication played a huge role in shaping our performances and the storytelling. The shoot itself was tough—dealing with shifting schedules, weather challenges, and time constraints—but the journey was truly unforgettable in so many ways.

I truly enjoyed bringing ‘Santosh’ to life as she envisioned. The casting process was also incredible — Sandhya, along with Mukesh and his team, selected actors and non-actors alike, ensuring an authentic, real feel to the film.

The film deals with complex social issues. How did you approach these themes in your performance?
The themes of the film were already deeply embedded in the screenplay, so my focus was simply to embody the character authentically. Sandhya’s writing is rich in nuance—she isn’t drawn to obvious, black and white narratives but rather to the complexities of human nature and social realities. She constantly sought to add layers of depth—subtle yet deeply telling. With ‘Santosh’, she didn’t want a stereotypical underdog fighting a heroic battle. Instead, she crafted a character who is conflicted—hungry, ambitious, clever, and even manipulative at times, like any human being. It was essential to keep that complexity in mind throughout the performance, allowing her character to unfold organically through the film’s circumstances.

Personal Impact: Did playing ‘Santosh’ change your perspective on any social issues or influence you personally in any way?
When I read ‘Santosh’, it resonated deeply—it captured thoughts and observations I’ve had but could never have articulated as seamlessly as Sandhya did. The film also made me more aware of the subtle prejudices, self-righteousness, and contradictions we all carry. Yet, it approaches human frailty with empathy, showing how circumstances shape people rather than simply judging them. It prompts reflection—on our role in society, where we may be complicit or complacent—without inducing guilt. Instead, it holds up a mirror, encouraging awareness and the possibility of change. I felt this at every stage—reading, performing, and finally watching ‘Santosh’.