Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Gondhal Director Seeks Global Spotlight Beyond Poverty, Caste Narratives
Gondhal is a Marathi film directed by Santosh Davakhar.
It has been chosen as India’s official entry for the Oscars.
Davakhar wanted people outside India to see more than stories about poverty and casteism.
He also wanted to show India’s culture, heritage and rituals.
He watched many international films while preparing to make it.
He also researched how to write the screenplay.
The movie tells a mystery-thriller story in a simple way.
Several actors, including Kishor Kadam and Ishita Deshmukh, appear in the film.
Director Santosh Davakhar said Gondhal aims to present Indian culture and heritage to international audiences.
Davakhar said international festivals shaped his awareness of perceptions linking Indian cinema with poverty and casteism.
He studied international films and screenwriting while developing the Marathi thriller.
Gondhal combines a simple thriller mystery with Indian rituals and cultural traditions.
The film has been selected as India’s official entry for the Oscars and features Kishor Kadam, Ishita Deshmukh and others.
- Who
- Filmmaker Santosh Davakhar and the cast of Gondhal.
- What
- Gondhal, a Marathi thriller, was selected as India’s official entry for the Oscars.
- When
- The timing of the film’s selection is not specified; Davakhar discussed it in an interview with IANS.
- Where
- The film is from India, and Davakhar discussed its international presentation after attending festivals including Cannes.
- Why
- Davakhar wanted to present Indian culture, heritage and rituals to international audiences beyond commonly associated poverty and casteism narratives.
- Film
- Gondhal
- Director
- Santosh Davakhar
- Selection
- India’s official entry for the Oscars
- Language and genre
- Marathi thriller
- Central themes
- Mystery, Indian rituals, culture and heritage
- Research
- Davakhar studied international cinema and screenwriting, watching more than 40 films in 15 days at Cannes
- Cast
- Kishor Kadam, Ishita Deshmukh, Yogesh Sohoni, Nishad Bhoir, Anuj Prabhu, Suresh Vishwakarma and Vitthal Kale