Marathi Thriller ‘Gondhal’ Chosen As India’s Official Entry For Oscars 2027
Santosh Davakhar’s Marathi thriller ‘Gondhal’ has been selected as India’s official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 99th Academy Awards.
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Marathi cinema is once again headed to the global stage! The Film Federation of India (FFI) announced on Friday that the Marathi thriller ‘Gondhal’, written and directed by Santosh Davakhar, has been selected as India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards. The film was chosen from a competitive pool of 33 contenders – including 14 Hindi, four Telugu, four Gujarati, three Tamil, and one each in Malayalam, Nepali, and Konyak, alongside one silent film and other Marathi features.
What Is ‘Gondhal’ About?
Set against the charged atmosphere of rural Maharashtra's traditional Gondhal ritual – a night-long folk performance involving music, dance, and mythology – the 117-minute film weaves a dark tale of desire, jealousy, betrayal, and buried tensions.
The story centres on Suman (Ishita Deshmukh), a young bride seemingly trapped in a comfortable but unhappy marriage to the wealthy Anand (Yogesh Sohoni). When Suman falls for a Gondhali performer named Saheba, she devises a risky plan to escape her marriage, dragging Anand's obsessed cousin, Sarjerao (Nishad Bhoir), into a dangerous game of deception and power. What begins as a quest for freedom quickly spirals into murder, forcing Suman to navigate a fight for survival.
Director Santosh Davakhar’s feature debut explores how deeply rooted cultural traditions intersect with individual aspirations and human frailties.
Festival Success vs. Box Office Reality
While the film had a somewhat subdued theatrical run after its release in November 2025, it found significant acclaim on the festival circuit. ‘Gondhal’ secured the Silver Peacock for Best Director (Special Jury recognition) at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, and garnered additional recognition at the Bengaluru, Pune, and Third Eye Asian International Film Festivals.
The movie features an ensemble cast including Kishor Kadam, Suresh Vishwakarma, Anuj Prabhu, and Vitthal Kale, with a musical score composed by veteran music director Ilaiyaraaja.
The Road To The Oscars
‘Gondhal’ marks the fourth Marathi film to represent India at the Academy Awards, following ‘Shwaas’ (2005), ‘Harishchandrachi Factory’ (2009), and ‘Court’ (2015). Last year, India's submission was Neeraj Ghaywan's Hindi drama ‘Homebound’, though it did not advance to the final nominations list. India has yet to secure a win in the Best International Feature Film category.
The selection by the FFI is just the beginning of the Oscar journey. The Academy will now conduct its voting process to determine a 15-film shortlist before finalizing the five official nominees. The 99th Academy Awards, hosted by Conan O’Brien, will take place on March 14, 2027, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
