Marathi Film ‘Gondhal’ Chosen as India’s Official Entry for Oscars 2027

Mumbai: Marathi cinema has secured the spotlight as ‘Gondhal’, written and directed by Santosh Davakhar, has been selected as India’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards.
The Film Federation of India (FFI) announced the selection on Friday after its jury reviewed 33 films representing multiple Indian languages.

Set in rural Maharashtra, Gondhal unfolds over a single night during a traditional ritual surrounding a newly married couple. The film explores themes of marriage, social oppression, desire, betrayal and fate against the backdrop of the vibrant Gondhal folk tradition.
P Sheshadri, who headed the FFI selection committee, said the jury considered films from different languages before finalising Gondhal. He noted that several entries received serious consideration, with Marathi films ‘Angh’ and ‘Ikkis’ also featuring among the final contenders.
The film previously made its international debut at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa in 2025, where it was screened under the Indian Panorama section. Davakhar also received the Silver Peacock for Best Director at the festival.

The story centres on Suman, a woman caught in a troubled and restrictive marriage. As the night progresses, she begins planning both a murder and an escape with a forbidden lover, creating a tense narrative where faith, deception and destiny intersect.
Ishita Deshmukh leads the cast, alongside Kishor Kadam, Yogesh Sohani, Nishad Bhoir, Anuj Prabhu and Dhru Thoke. Veteran music composer Ilaiyaraaja has composed the film’s music.
The 33-film submission list also featured titles such as ‘Haq’, ‘Dhurandhar’, ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge’, ‘Hanuman Ansh’, ‘Border 2’, ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’, ‘Peddi’ and ‘120 Bahadur’.
With Gondhal now representing India in the Oscar race, attention will turn to the Academy’s selection process ahead of the 99th Academy Awards.