Shahana Goswami talks about her film Santosh being included in the Oscar nomination shortlist. While there is still a step left before the official nomination announcement, Goswami told India Today Digital that he has a feeling it could happen.

In an exclusive interview with India Today Digital, Shahana reflects on independent project journeyThe emphasis behind its success was on collaborative effort. Shahana shared insights about the challenges of playing the lead role, and revealed her initial doubts about playing it. He also highlighted the importance of global recognition for Indian independent cinema and its potential to create opportunities for diverse storytelling. The film Santosh is releasing in India on 10 January 2025.

Excerpts from the interview below:

Santosh has been shortlisted for an Oscar nomination. It is very big. What does this mean to you?

I’m enjoying the feeling of celebration around the film – and not just for me and the team, which feels extremely personal and special because we’ve worked so hard on it, as everyone does with their projects. – But for what the film represents. It has become a very personal celebration for everyone involved. I am really enjoying the happiness and support at every stage of the film’s journey. It feels wonderful to celebrate the film, the story set in India, Sandhya’s brilliant script and writing and everyone involved, including Sunita and I as actors.

This seems to be one of those rare moments when a film from or about India, based on its culture, creates much of a stir outside of it in the general film world. Hopefully, this discussion will create more opportunities for projects, stories and narratives like ours. Sandhya is a first-time feature film director, and we are all relatively lesser-known actors. It’s a small indie production, yet it’s resonating with people in meaningful ways. My hope is that the importance of this moment will allow more space for voices and intentions like ours to flourish and reach a wider audience.

What are your expectations regarding an Oscar nomination?

Honestly, I don’t know. I don’t have any special expectations. You can’t really predict how things will turn out, and I’m not focused on those kinds of outcomes. However, I have a feeling it might figure into the nominations somehow. Only when that happens will I know if it was actually an inner feeling or just a form of wishful thinking that felt like intuition. But, I don’t want to shy away from expressing it. Other than that, I haven’t given it much thought, so I’ll leave it at that.

Santosh is a Hindi language film sent from UK. Does it become easier to gain global recognition and send films to prestigious festivals when the film has the support of a foreign production? Do you think India still doesn’t have enough infrastructure to support independent voices?

You know, I don’t like to take a specific case and use it as an example or a representation of some larger idea. I only know of this one condition, and the factors that have contributed to its journey are complex. I don’t think you can isolate it to just one aspect. Is it difficult to make independent films? Yes. And is it more difficult in India? Absolutely. Although government support exists, it is limited, and there is no consolidated framework to support independent filmmakers. There is a significant difference between potential financiers who can support these types of films and the ability to subsequently secure distribution for them. This makes independent films harder to sell and eventually, unfortunately, filmmaking also becomes a business. These challenges have become significant obstacles to independent film production.

In India, this is even more pronounced as reaching the audience is a bigger challenge. How do you ensure that your film gets the theatrical exposure it needs to have a long enough run? Or securing a space on an OTT platform at a price that covers the costs and also gets enough marketing and promotion to make the film popular? Without effective marketing, your film may come and go unnoticed, competing with a wide range of other options.

Film festivals help create discussion and awareness for these films, but I see this as just the tip of the iceberg. There are many incredible films that, for various reasons, never make it into major festivals. These films often remain buried and unseen by wider audiences. The system, as it currently stands, has many flaws. Hopefully, better organizational structures can emerge – perhaps a more streamlined “factory line” approach – to ensure that these films reach the audiences they deserve.

Over the past few years, we have seen independent films gain some recognition only after winning at prestigious festivals. Do you think there needs to be more support in this regard so that actors like you feel bolder to take up more such projects?

Over the past few years, we have seen examples that highlight this. I mean, think about this scenario: Even if someone like Shah Rukh Khan decided to make a small independent film without any PR or leveraging his name, that film might still go unnoticed. This challenge exists all over the world. Films, even from countries like the US, often gain popularity only after being screened at festivals or gaining attention in specific circles. Recognition often occurs outside their home countries before being celebrated locally. This dynamic exists in India also.

To some extent, there has always been a parallel industry in India to art-house or independent cinema, which has made its way into domestic film festivals. Historically, such films also had a chance to be released in theatres. But, the challenge lies in making these projects accessible in a way that is also sustainable as a business model. As art, they deserve to reach their intended audience. It’s all about finding the right approach to bridge this gap.

How has Santosh influenced or developed you as an actor?

Every film shapes you in some way or the other – helps you grow and develop as an actor. But it’s hard to separate these experiences because, just as you’re embodying a character, you’re also living your life. The growth you experience as a person impacts your acting, and the process of connecting with a character, working on set, collaborating with the team, and understanding a director’s vision is also similar to that of a human being. Shapes you in form. It is a deeply symbiotic process.

For me, the role of Santosh came at a time of significant internal shifts and transitions in my life, and it felt like the role enhanced those processes. It allowed me to let go of many things. I have often talked about my feelings of doubt and uncertainty before taking on this role – I wasn’t sure I would be able to play this character. I don’t have any set process; I usually feel incomplete and lost before I start a movie. As with Santosh, this was even more evident because of the weight borne by the lead role.

What I’ve learned, however, is that it’s really about being as present as possible in each moment and doing the best I can in that space. Having an incredible team was a huge support. At Santosh, we had a fantastic group of people who worked with a shared work ethic, energy and enthusiasm for film and life. That synergy gave me the opportunity to create and explore the character. Sandhya’s way of writing and shooting also allowed for a lot of variation and exploration, making the experience even richer.

The biggest achievement for me was the realization – or rather the confirmation – that I could do this. I could have taken a movie. It gave me the confidence to accept and give myself credit for my life and journey as both an actor and a human being. It was a moment to trust all the steps that brought me here and stop doubting that part of myself.