Santosh OTT release date, plot, cast, trailer and controversy about Shahana Goswami’s social drama film

Santosh on OTT: The critically acclaimed social drama film on casteism and power abuse is now set for its digital-to-OTT premiere. Here's everything you need to know about Shahana Goswami's film.

Santosh poster

Shahana Goswami’s Santosh has finally found a platform in India for its release. The critically acclaimed social drama film on casteism and power abuse is now set for its digital-to-OTT premiere. After a controversy and disagreement with CBFC, Santosh has skipped a theatrical release and is now gearing up for its awaited digital premiere on Lionsgate Play (accessible via OTTplay Premium). Here’s everything you need to know about the UK's official Oscar entry film as it inches closer to its release.

When and where to watch Santosh

Shahana Goswami, who is renowned for her captivating performances, is all set to headline the acclaimed film Santosh. Skipping a theatrical premiere, the social drama film is slated to premiere on Lionsgate and OTTplay Premium on October 17. Santosh premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and garnered praise with a standing ovation and rave reviews. Now, the movie is preparing for the digital premiere that will make it accessible to a global audience, including India.

Lionsgate Play confirmed the exclusive premiere of the Shahana Goswami-starrer Santosh by sharing an intriguing trailer. “She inherited a uniform. She uncovered a conspiracy.  The powerful film, Santosh, is coming soon on Lionsgate Play,” the streamer captioned the social media post.

Santosh plot and cast

Touted to be a social drama film, Santosh centers around a grieving woman whose life changes after she gets a compensation appointment post her husband’s death. She takes up his job as a police constable and embarks on a challenging quest to fight for justice when power abuse and casteism emerge as the ‘two types of untouchables.’

Also Read: Santosh OTT release date in India: Here's when and where you can finally stream Shahana Goswami's powerful police procedural

Shahana Goswami, who is celebrated in the industry for her underrated films and exceptional performances like Rock On!!, Firaaq, and Midnight’s Children, takes up another promising role in Santosh. The movie garnered her special praise and recognition in the Asian Film Award for Best Actress.

Panchayat fame Sunita Rajwar plays the role of a cop, who teams up with the titular character to offer justice to a deceased Dalit teenager and rape victim.

Also Read: Oscars 2025: Santosh makes it to the top 15 in International Feature Film category - Here's everything we know so far

Santosh trailer and controversy

In the powerful trailer for Santosh, we meet the eponymous character, trying to piece together missing pieces of a Dalit teenage girl’s rape and murder case. Things take a turn when she gets pulled inside the web of the caste system, politics, and power abuse that lies deep-rooted in our society. From strong visuals and stellar performances to the positive reviews worldwide, Santosh promises to capture your attention as it gears up for the digital premiere. Take a look at the trailer below:

Directed and written by British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri, Santosh grabbed attention after receiving rave reviews across the globe as it premiered in film festivals. However, despite the acclaim and becoming the UK’s official entry for the Oscars, Santosh was blocked in India for the theatrical release due to conflicts with the censor board. Set in North India and centered around the Indian police force system, Santosh failed to find a domestic theatrical release, as the Central Board of Film Certification expressed concerns over its themes of misogyny, Islamophobia, Dalit injustice, and violence in the movie.

Get ready to witness Santosh’s silent battle against the odds of society this Diwali week.

FAQs:

Q: How to watch Santosh in India?

A: Santosh is scheduled for its digital premiere on the OTT platform of Lionsgate Play (OTTplay Premium) on October 17, 2025.

Q: Who stars in Santosh?

A: The film stars Firaaq and Rock On!! actress Shahana Goswami in the titular lead role of Santosh Saini, a police constable. Sunita Rajwar (Panchayat) plays Inspector Geeta Sharma.

Q: Who is the director of the film Santosh?

A: The film Santosh is written and directed by British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri

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