Marathi Film Gondhal Is India’s Official Entry for Oscars 2027
Marathi cinema is heading to the global stage. Santosh Davakhar’s Marathi thriller Gondhal has been selected as India’s official entry for the 99th Academy Awards, where it will compete in the Best International Feature Film category.
The Film Federation of India (FFI) announced the selection on September 18, 2026. The film was chosen from 33 submissions representing different Indian languages. Gondhal has also received international recognition, with director Santosh Davakhar winning the Silver Peacock for Best Director at the 56th International Film Festival of India in 2025. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
What Is Gondhal About?
Set in rural Maharashtra, Gondhal unfolds during a single night against the backdrop of the traditional Gondhal ritual, a folk performance that combines music, dance, mythology and religious elements.
The story follows Suman, a woman trapped in an unhappy marriage with Anand, a wealthy man. She becomes emotionally drawn to Saheba, a Gondhali performer, and begins looking for a way to escape her difficult circumstances.
Her plans become increasingly complicated when Anand’s obsessive cousin Sarjerao becomes involved. The story gradually develops into a tense narrative involving desire, deception, murder and survival.
The film stars Ishita Deshmukh, Kishor Kadam, Yogesh Sohoni, Nishad Bhoir and Anuj Prabhu. Its story places Maharashtra’s traditional folk culture at the centre of a thriller. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Gondhal Was Selected From 33 Films
The FFI selection committee considered 33 films for India’s official Oscar submission this year. The entries came from several Indian languages, including Hindi, Marathi, Telugu, Gujarati and Tamil.
The Marathi films in contention included Gondhal along with other submissions, while prominent Hindi-language titles were also part of the selection process. The final decision was made by a jury chaired by filmmaker P. Sheshadri.
With its selection, Gondhal will now move into the Academy’s International Feature Film process. The category will eventually be narrowed down to a 15-film shortlist, followed by the final five nominees.
Fourth Marathi Film to Become India’s Oscar Entry
Gondhal is the fourth Marathi-language film to be selected as India’s official Oscar entry.
- Shwaas – 2005
- Harishchandrachi Factory – 2009
- Court – 2015
- Gondhal – 2026 selection for Oscars 2027
The selection adds another chapter to Marathi cinema’s presence in India’s Oscar campaign and brings a story rooted in Maharashtra’s traditional culture into the international awards conversation. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
India’s Oscar Journey
India has submitted several films to the Best International Feature category over the years, but the country has not yet won the Academy Award in this category.
Indian films that have previously received nominations include Mother India, Salaam Bombay and Lagaan. Water, directed by Deepa Mehta, was nominated while representing Canada.
Last year, Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor, was selected as India’s official entry but did not advance to the Academy’s shortlist.
What Happens Next for Gondhal?
Gondhal will now enter the Academy’s selection process for the International Feature Film category. Its next major milestone will be the announcement of the shortlist, after which the final Oscar nominations will be revealed.
The 99th Academy Awards are scheduled to take place on March 14, 2027, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
Gondhal was released theatrically in November 2025. Its Oscar selection now gives the Marathi thriller an opportunity to reach a much wider international audience.
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