Entertainment · Indian Cinema · 4 hrs ago
India’s Oscar entry ‘Gondhal’ releases global trailer
India’s Oscar entry ‘Gondhal’ has released its global trailer.
The Marathi-language thriller is India’s submission for the international feature category at the 99th Academy Awards.
It was selected from 33 films and is the first feature directed by writer-director Santosh Davakhar.
The story unfolds during one night in rural Maharashtra, amid Gondhal, a folk ritual combining song, dance and theatrical storytelling.
Ishita Deshmukh plays Suman, a young wife who tries to regain control of her life by exploiting her lover’s fixation on her.
The story ends in tragedy as desire meets custom and codes of honor.
The film also stars Nishad Bhoir, Kishor Kadam, Yogesh Sohoni and Anuj Prabhu, with music and background score by Ilaiyaraaja.
The trailer marks a new phase in the film’s awards push, though the sources do not say what its next campaign steps are.
India’s Oscar entry, the Marathi-language thriller “Gondhal,” has released its global trailer.
The film is India’s submission for the international feature award at the 99th Academy Awards.
Writer-director Santosh Davakhar’s first feature was selected from 33 films in contention.
Set over one night in rural Maharashtra, the story follows a young wife seeking control of her life as her desires collide with codes of honor and custom.
The film features a 25-minute unbroken opening take and music and background score by Ilaiyaraaja.
- Who
- Gondhal,” a Marathi-language thriller directed by Santosh Davakhar.
- What
- The film has launched its global trailer as it advances its awards campaign.
- When
- The trailer launch was reported on October 26, 2026.
- Where
- The story is set in rural Maharashtra, India.
- Why
- The trailer launch marks a new phase in the film’s awards push.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Gondhal” was selected from 33 films in contention to be India’s submission for the international feature Oscar.
The film launched its global trailer as its awards push moved into a new phase.
- Language
- Marathi
- Director
- Santosh Davakhar
- Oscar submission
- India’s entry for the 99th Academy Awards’ international feature award
- Selection field
- 33 films
- Setting
- Rural Maharashtra
- Opening take
- 25 minutes
What people are saying
Global perceptions of Indian cinema are often shaped by narratives of poverty and caste conflict – important realities, but not the complete expression of India.
like a Shakespearean fable set in a real world.