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Marathi Thriller Gondhal Named India’s Official Oscars 2027 Entry
Gondhal is a Marathi movie from India.
It was chosen to represent India at the 2027 Oscars.
The movie takes place in rural Maharashtra.
It happens during a traditional Gondhal dance ritual.
The main character is Suman, a newlywed woman in an unhappy marriage.
She makes a plan involving her lover, revenge and escape.
A committee selected Gondhal from 33 Indian films.
The movie stars Ishita Deshmukh, and its music was created by Ilaiyaraaja.
The Film Federation of India selected Marathi thriller drama Gondhal as India’s entry for the 99th Academy Awards.
Written and directed by Santosh Davakhar, the film is set in rural Maharashtra during a traditional Gondhal ritual.
The story follows Suman, a newlywed woman who plans murder and escape from a troubled marriage with her lover.
Gondhal was chosen from 33 submitted films, including Dhurandhar, Hanuman Ansh, Ikkis, Haq and Border 2.
The film stars Ishita Deshmukh and features music by Ilaiyaraaja; Davakhar won the Silver Peacock for Best Director at IFFI 2025.
- Who
- The Film Federation of India selected Gondhal, written and directed by Santosh Davakhar, with Ishita Deshmukh in the lead role.
- What
- Gondhal was named India’s official submission in the Best International Feature category for the 99th Academy Awards.
- Where
- The film is set in rural Maharashtra and premiered in Goa at the International Film Festival of India.
- When
- The selection was announced on Friday; the film premiered at IFFI in 2025.
- Why
- A committee selected it from 33 submitted Indian films.
Key facts
- Official selection
- India’s entry for the Best International Feature category at the 99th Academy Awards
- Language and genre
- Marathi thriller drama
- Director and writer
- Santosh Davakhar
- Plot setting
- A traditional Gondhal ritual in rural Maharashtra
- Selection field
- Chosen from 33 submitted films
- Lead cast
- Ishita Deshmukh
- Music
- Ilaiyaraaja
- Festival recognition
- Santosh Davakhar won the Silver Peacock for Best Director at IFFI 2025
Quotes
P Sheshadri
Chairperson of the Film Federation of India’s selection committee
“This year we've had four Marathi films, 14 Hindi films, and others films, all the films were good. It's a happy moment for Indian cinema, for Marathi cinema. This time the official entry is 'Gondhal'”
livemint.com
“We've watched 33 films in last ten days of different languages. There were many other good films for which we were debating about. 'Angh' and 'Ikkis' were in top three list apart from 'Gondhal'”
livemint.com
Sources
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