8 months ago
Santosh Davakhar Brings Maharashtrian Folk Tradition to Global Stage
Santosh Davakhar is a filmmaker who grew up in poverty and started working as a child laborer.
He discovered his love for cinema and became a self-taught filmmaker.
His film Gondhal is about a centuries-old Maharashtrian folk tradition and has won international awards.
Davakhar wants to show the world India's rich culture beyond the stereotype of poverty.
The film highlights the fading tradition of Gondhal, a night-long performance that is now getting shorter.
Santosh Davakhar, a National Award-winning filmmaker, grew up in poverty and started working as a child laborer at the age of 14.
He discovered cinema during his difficult growing-up years and became a self-taught filmmaker, inspired by films like Lagaan and Border.
His film Gondhal, made in 2025, won Best Director at the Pune International Film Festival and is the first Marathi film to win this honor in six years.
Gondhal is about a centuries-old Maharashtrian folk tradition that is slowly fading, and Davakhar aims to present India's rich culture to the world.
Davakhar's filmmaking is characterized by unique characters and one-take shots, inspired by Oscar-winning films like Roma and Birdman.
- Who
- Santosh Davakhar, a National Award-winning filmmaker
- What
- Brought the fading centuries-old Maharashtrian folk tradition Gondhal to the international stage through his film Gondhal
- Where
- The film is set in Maharashtra, India, and has been recognized internationally
- When
- Gondhal was made in 2025 and won Best Director at the Pune International Film Festival two months ago
- Why
- To present India's rich culture proudly and challenge the stereotype of Indian films being about poverty
Key facts
- Name
- Santosh Davakhar
- Age
- 36
- Occupation
- Filmmaker
- Notable Film
- Gondhal
- Awards
- National Award, Pune International Film Festival Best Director
- Education
- Graduation and Post-Graduation in Economics
- Training
- 45-day screenplay writing course at FTII
- Film Inspiration
- Roma, Birdman, Lagaan, Border, No Man’s Land
Quotes
Santosh Davakhar
National Award-winning filmmaker and director of Gondhal
“I was in Cannes, pitching my film Adnyat to a person from the UK, and he asked me if it was about poverty. During my visit to Cannes, I learned that the world sees Indian films through the lens of poverty. I promised myself that I would tell my story about my culture at the international and national levels. We do have a rich culture, and we should present it proudly.”
indianexpress.com
“Filmmaking is the world’s most expensive hobby, but I wanted to enter the field. I waited until I had achieved financial stability by running several businesses, including coaching and construction, before picking up a camera. In my films, you will find no two characters are alike. This is because I have met so many people since my childhood.”
indianexpress.com
