POLICE corruption, caste politics, and dangerous interfaith liaisons are at the heart of Santosh, a feature by British Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri. She turns the title on its head – Santosh, regarded more widely as a male name, is the protagonist, played by the versatile Shahana Goswami.
Santosh’s husband, a police constable in a north Indian village, is killed in the line of duty. Or so it appears.
Under a government scheme for widows of slain policemen, Santosh joins the service and quickly learns that the job is less about protecting people and more about safeguarding one’s own interests by wielding power.
Her senior colleagues target young lovers getting frisky in public spaces, with little accountability for off-the-book, disproportionate actions. Santosh gets drawn into a murder investigation when the body of a young girl from an ‘untouchable’ Dalit caste is found in a well.
Working with a senior female colleague, whom she regards as a mentor (Sunita Rajwar as Geeta Sharma), Santosh tracks down the main suspect. Her bosses are pleased, and she is promised a promotion. Yet, what unfolds next is, in parts, unsurprising and uncomfortable, though compelling.
With sharp editing and punchy dialogues, Suri paints a portrait of the shifting dynamics of power – between the police and villagers, experienced colleagues and novices, men and women, and local officials left to their own devices.
Despite the expanse of themes covered in the film – class, authority, abuse, patriarchy – the dialogue is sparse, but complemented by Goswami’s restrained performance. The film delivers a powerful synopsis of what lurks in the villages and towns of India, behind the dazzling razzmatazz of glossy headlines.
Her character’s arc, as a woman who married for love, learning on her feet, giving in to authority, standing up for herself, negotiating consequences, pushing for answers, give Santosh the credibility real-life documentaries seek to portray. There’s a note of hope in Suri’s unflinching take on the realities of rural India, though the questions raised linger on long after the film has ended.
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.