Archive · 19 Sep 2026
India’s Oscar Pick ‘Gondhal’ Examines Desire, Power and Rural Deception
Gondhal is a Marathi film set in a village where powerful people control others.
It follows Suman, a young woman in a marriage she did not choose.
A wealthy man’s son, Sarjerao, wants Suman.
Suman tries to use his interest to gain more control over her life.
Her husband, Anandrao, feels uncomfortable because other villagers mock him.
A religious folk performance happens during the same night.
The performance connects to the characters’ secrets, fears and plans.
The reviewer praises the film’s acting and striking camera work but says the story sometimes moves too slowly.
The film was chosen to represent India in the Oscars’ Best International Feature category.
Santosh Davakhar’s Marathi-language debut follows a tense night involving Suman, her husband Anandrao and Sarjerao, the village chief’s son.
The film’s 24-minute opening shot moves from a nighttime forest through a religious ceremony and into Suman’s room.
Suman tries to use Sarjerao’s desire to improve her situation in a marriage she did not want.
The story explores gender, sexual desire, revenge, social hierarchy and religious oppression through the Jagran Gondhal folk performance.
Although praised for its performances, atmosphere and finale, the review criticizes the film’s slow pace and implausible events.
- Who
- Director and producer Santosh Davakhar; characters Suman, Anandrao, Sarjerao, Bhivaba and Aabasaheb; and the film’s cast.
- What
- A review of Gondhal, a Marathi psychological drama about desire, power, deception and revenge in a rural community.
- When
- The film was released in cinemas in November 2025 and was later selected as India’s Oscar entry.
- Where
- An undefined rural village, with much of the story unfolding during a Jagran Gondhal ceremony.
- Why
- The film was selected to represent India in the Oscars’ Best International Feature category; its story examines oppression, gender and religious belief.
- Film
- Gondhal
- Director and producer
- Santosh Davakhar
- Language
- Marathi
- Release
- Released in cinemas in November 2025
- Oscar category
- Best International Feature
- Central folk tradition
- Jagran Gondhal
- Notable cast
- Ishita Deshmukh, Kishor Kadam, Yogesh Sohani, Nishad Bhoir and Suresh Vishwakarma
- Planned distribution
- The film is to be released in Marathi and five other languages