What is Gondhal ritual? Inside colourful Marathi film that is India's Oscars entry

Marathi film Gondhal has been chosen as India's official entry for the 99th Academy Awards in 2027. The selection brings a centuries-old Maharashtrian ritual performance to a global cinematic audience.

In Short

• Marathi film Gondhal is picked as India's official Oscar entry
• The Marathi ritual blends devotional singing, dance, music and worship of deities
• Gondhal performances are linked to weddings and night-long family celebrations

Marathi cinema's Gondhal is India's official Oscars entry, bringing one of Maharashtra's distinctive traditional ritual performances to the centre of its story. Written and directed by Santosh Davakhar, the film was chosen from 33 other titles as India’s official entry for the 99th Academy Awards in 2027.

But what exactly is Gondhal, the centuries-old ritual that gives the film its name?

What is Gondhal?

Gondhal is a traditional Maharashtrian ritual performance that combines devotional singing, music, dance, and the worship of deities. Performed by the community Gondhalis, the ritual typically involves traditional instruments, rhythmic movements and devotional songs, creating an atmosphere that is both spiritual and celebratory.

The tradition has a strong connection with night-time performances and is often associated with important family occasions, including weddings. Historical accounts in the Maharashtra Gazetteer describe Gondhal performances being held at night after joyful family celebrations, with dancers singing and performing before an image of the goddess and a lamp.

A traditional Gondhal can feature instruments such as drums and the tuntune, along with metal instruments and a torch or lamp. The performers invoke the deity through songs and dance, with the ritual eventually concluding with an aarti.

The exact form of Gondhal can vary, but its combination of music, movement, storytelling and devotion remains central to the tradition.

Why is Gondhal significant in Maharashtra?

Beyond being a form of entertainment, Gondhal has traditionally been part of community and family celebrations in Maharashtra. The ritual brings people together through prayer, music and performance, often continuing through the night.

Actor Kishor Kadam, who features in Gondhal, has spoken about growing up with the ritual in his village. He recalled it as a community gathering where people came together to pray and celebrate through the night.

Its distinctive visual and sonic elements- firelight, drums, devotional singing, dancing and crowds gathered after dark- also give Gondhal a naturally cinematic quality. However, the ritual is more than just an atmospheric backdrop; it carries cultural and devotional significance for the communities that practise it.

How does Gondhal feature in the Oscar entry?

Santosh Davakhar's film uses the traditional performance as an integral part of its narrative rather than simply as a visual element.

According to the official IFFI synopsis, the story unfolds during a midnight Gondhal celebration in rural Maharashtra. Ishita Deshmukh plays Suman, a woman trapped in a wealthy marriage who becomes involved with Saheba, a charismatic Gondhali performer.

What begins as an attempt to escape her circumstances soon draws Suman into a web of manipulation, deception and a murder plot involving her husband's cousin. As the night-long Gondhal unfolds, devotion, relationships, betrayal and danger become intertwined.

For Davakhar, the ritual was central to the film from the beginning. The director has said he had grown up watching Gondhal performances and eventually decided to build a story around the tradition.

With Gondhal, a ritual deeply rooted in Maharashtra's cultural landscape has now become the title and narrative foundation of India's Oscar entry, bringing an unfamiliar folk tradition to a global cinematic audience.

Meanwhile, the 33 films that were in contention for India's official entry for the 99th Academy Awards included Main Vaapas Aaunga, Border 2 and the Dhurandhar film series. The others on the list included Dug Dug, Haq, Bhamardo, 120 Bahadur, Sing Geetham, Tera Mera Nata, Ladoo, Ohh My Dog, Gondhal, Balan The Boy, Deool Band 2, Tighi, Peddi, Irumudi, Dorothy, Khoonta, Gandhi Talks, Bison Kalaamadan, Shape of Momo, Governer, 2020 Delhi, Commando Vin Love Story, Ikkis, Pravas, Man Aatale Manaatle, Obsess, Egwa, Angh and Hanuman Ansh.

The 99th Academy Awards are scheduled for March 14, 2027.

- Ends