"In Satta, I have cast Raveena Tandon in one of the most challenging roles of her career. The team, which supports her to narrate the story of the film, is made up of seasoned actors from the theatre world and television. She is the centre point of the narrative with forceful actors like Govind Namdeo, Atul Kulkarni, Shri Vallabh Vyas and relative newcomer Sameer Dharmadhikari weaving the story around her, to create a film which presents reality bites of the Indian political scenario like never before. Unlike Chandni Bar, in this film, I have chosen to include a few songs, which goes with the flow of the script. I could choose no better lyricist than Javed Akhtar to write the songs with music by Raju Singh. I have shot the film entirely in Mumbai on real locations, on a limited budget. The strong narravite and superb performances are the backbone of the film. I believe never before has the Indian political scene been exposed in this manner on the screen before."

Satta is the story of a normal; fun-loving, disco-dancing working woman called Anuradha, whose parents have been divorced. She works in a PR company and is smart and savvy.. A chance meeting with Vivek Chauhan (Sameer Dharmadhikari) — debauched son of a leading politician — in a disco, results in a love affair in which Vivek convinces her to marry her. Her discovery of the true personality of Vivek and his imprisonment for a crime of passion, suddenly catapults her into an election in which she is elected an MLA though she has described politics as ‘the last resort of scoundrels’. Becoming a protege of the gel-smooth, ruthlessly ambitious M.P. Yashwant Varde (Atul Kulkarni) at the suggestion of her father-in-law Mahendra Chauhan (Shri Vallabh Vyas), she learns the ropes of the power game of active politics, the betrayals and survivals. These influences change the pattern of her life from that of an innocent woman looking for marital happiness and a secure home to a woman who is determined to change the course of politics to what she thinks is right, by battling for her goals and involving the various vicious, selfish politicians in games of their own making, which result in their own annihilation. In the end, she succeeds in cleaning up the dirt around her by turning the tables on all her so-called chameleon-like supporters and ruthless opponents. By choosing the right leader for her state, she chooses to become the kingmaker rather than the queen herself, because her chosen leader sincerely believes that power or Satta really means the opportunity to bring about parivartan or positive change in the lives of people.

Undoubtedly, Satta gives Raveena the chance of a lifetime to showcase her talent and commitment to the medium of films. From a simple, fun-loving woman, Anuradha — the protagonist — becomes a powerful harbinger of change in the social and political scenario by defying traditions and obscurantist norms of society. Small gestures like her courage in standing up for her divorced mother’s right to perform her kanyadaan to major decisions like having a liaison with her political mentor to assert her own options and beliefs, define the modern woman’s dreams and disillusionments. There is an attractive mixture of gentleness and ruthlessness in several characters in the film which is entirely lifelike. The little patches of humaneness, tenderness as well as the viciousness hidden in the heart of all humans have been explored in every fine portrayal. The result is that Raveena Tandon truly excels in a role, which may make her a serious contender for the National Award for Best Actress once again in 2003.

The others too, including newcomer Sameer Dharmadkhikari (who plays the debauched husband), have turned in sterling performances which have made the film arguably one of the best offerings of 2003. Though the narrative navigates itself to the finale through dirty intrigues and evil murders, the film generates a positive attitude for women who plan to achieve their objectives by playing the same dirty social and political games as men, but with an elan and acumen which are unique to them, so that their hopes for a better more equitable society and a progressive nation become more actualised in the future. To put the film in a nutshell, it is a sinister Bend It Like Beckham, where a shrewd, quick-on-the-uptake woman learns the crooked rules of man-made power games and plays within their constraints to come up a winner!