Marathi thriller Gondhal has been named India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards, set to be held on March 14, 2027. The film, directed by Santosh Davakhar, was picked out of 33 submissions by a jury constituted by the Film Federation of India, beating out several high-profile regional contenders for the coveted slot.
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Gondhal had already made waves on the festival circuit before its Oscar selection, with Davakhar winning the Silver Peacock for Best Director at the International Film Festival of India for the film. That early recognition, paired now with its status as India’s Oscar entry, has significantly boosted the film’s profile among audiences who missed its limited theatrical run.
Gondhal: Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Director | Santosh Davakhar |
| Cast | Ishita Deshmukh, Yogesh Sohoni, Kishor Kadam |
| Music | Ilaiyaraaja |
| Runtime | 117 minutes |
| Category | Best International Feature Film, 99th Academy Awards |
| OTT Status | Not yet available (as of Sept 2026) |
Set entirely across a single night in rural Maharashtra, the film builds its story around the traditional Gondhal folk ritual, following a young married woman named Suman as she attempts to break free from an unhappy marriage. What begins as a cultural performance drama gradually darkens into a tense thriller layered with manipulation, deception and an eventual murder plot, blending folk tradition with genre filmmaking in a way critics have praised as distinctive.
For viewers hoping to catch the film digitally, the news isn’t fully settled yet: as of the latest update, Gondhal remains unavailable on any streaming platform. The film had a theatrical release in November 2025, and re-releases both within India and in select international markets are reportedly being planned to capitalise on the Oscar buzz, though no OTT platform or exact streaming date has been confirmed.
With the Oscar nomination shortlist expected in the coming months, all eyes will be on whether Gondhal can make it past the initial rounds and secure India its first nomination in the category in several years.
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Source: India TV News
India’s Oscar entries have had a mixed record in recent years when it comes to advancing past the shortlist stage, and Gondhal’s Marathi-language, folk-rooted storytelling gives it a distinct identity compared to more conventional festival darlings. Whether that translates into an actual nomination will become clearer once the Academy narrows its International Feature shortlist later this year.
