Marathi Film Gondhal Selected As India Official Oscar Entry

The Film Federation of India has selected the Marathi psychological thriller 'Gondhal', written and directed by Santosh Davakhar, as the country's official entry for the 99th Academy Awards. The film will compete in the International Feature Film category at the ceremony scheduled for March 14, 2027, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. 'Gondhal' was chosen from a competitive pool of 33 contenders by a selection committee chaired by P Seshadri.

Set against the backdrop of rural Maharashtra, the film derives its title from a traditional folk ritual that combines music, dance, and storytelling. While the ritual is traditionally performed as an act of devotion, director Santosh Davakhar uses it as the framework for a complex narrative involving a newly married couple, Suman and Anand, and a web of deception, obsession, and a calculated murder plot. The film features Ishita Deshmukh as Suman, Yogesh Sohoni as Anand, Nishad Bhoir as Sarjerao, and Anuj Prabhu as the Gondhali performer Sahebrao.

Davakhar, who previously won the Silver Peacock for Best Director at the 56th International Film Festival of India, emphasized the ritual's role as a central narrative device rather than mere decoration. The film is noted for its technical ambition, including a 25-minute continuous opening shot that required extensive rehearsals. The musical score was composed by veteran composer Ilaiyaraaja, who observed the traditional Gondhal ritual in Nashik to ensure authenticity in the soundscape.

'Gondhal' is the fourth Marathi film to be selected as India's official Oscar entry, following previous selections such as 'Shwaas' (2005), 'Harishchandrachi Factory' (2009), and 'Court' (2015). Specific box office performance data for Marathi films previously selected as Oscar entries is not publicly available. The film has garnered significant critical acclaim on the festival circuit, winning the FIPRESCI Award at the 17th Bengaluru International Film Festival and multiple honors at the Pune International Film Festival, including Best Director and Best Cinematographer. At the Filmfare Awards Marathi 2026, the film secured several technical and debut accolades, including Best Debut Female for Ishita Deshmukh and Best Debut Male for Nishad Bhoir.

India has yet to win the Best International Feature Film category, with only three films ('Mother India', 'Salaam Bombay', and 'Lagaan') having received nominations. 'Gondhal' now enters the Academy's selection process, with the shortlist scheduled for announcement on December 15, 2026, followed by the final nominations on January 21, 2027.