Sunita Rajwar:
Rajwar, known for her loud and comedic roles, found preparing for ‘Santosh’ a challenging yet enriching experience. She had to tone down her natural exuberance to fit the character of an older, hardened policewoman, which was a departure from her usual roles. She credited the director Sandhya Suri and her co-star Shahana Goswami for helping her navigate this transformation. Rajwar expressed that this role felt like she was doing “a lot of acting” because it was so different from her usual style and personality.
Shahana Goswami:
Goswami, on the other hand, relies heavily on her instincts and the guidance of her directors. For ‘Santosh’, she focused on getting out of her head and trusting her natural responses to the character and the scenes. Her preparation involved discussions with the director to clearly understand the character’s intentions and refining the script through dialogue and dialect work. Growing up in Delhi made it easier for her to adopt the Haryanvi accent required for her role. Goswami highlighted the importance of fine-tuning the script during readings to ensure authenticity and accuracy in portrayal.
Chances of Releasing ‘Santosh’ in India
Both actors acknowledged the challenges of releasing a film like ‘Santosh’ in India. Goswami mentioned that such films often face difficulties not just in India but globally, as they tend to have niche audiences. She emphasized the importance of having these films seen, despite their niche appeal, because they hold up a mirror to society without being overtly accusatory. Goswami expressed hope that ‘Santosh’ would find its audience in India, despite the potential hurdles. The passion and dedication of the team behind ‘Santosh’ reflect their desire for the film to be watched and appreciated for its nuanced portrayal of complex social issues.