Marathi film Gondhal beats Dhurandhar, Hanuman Ansh to become India's Oscars entry

Marathi film Gondhal has been selected as India's official entry for the 99th Academy Awards. It was chosen from more than 30 contenders in the Oscar race, including Main Vaapas Aaunga and Dhurandhar 2. It's a psychological and cultural thriller centred around a trapped young bride who turns her lover's obsession with a sacred folk ritual into a dangerous game of deception, desire and power.

In Short

• Marathi film Gondhal chosen as India's official entry for 99th Academy Awards
• The Film Federation of India jury selected it from over 30 films
• Gondhal depicts the Maharashtrian Gondhal ritual with themes of desire and betrayal

Marathi film Gondhal has been selected as India's official entry for the 99th Academy Awards, with the announcement made in Mumbai on Friday, September 18. The Film Federation of India jury picked Santosh Davakhar’s film from more than 30 films that were in contention this year.

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.

FFI president Abhay Sinha, secretary Dharmendra Mehra, treasurer Sangram Shirke, patron TP Agarwal, vice-president Hirachand, Nishant Ujjwal and chairman P Sheshadri were present at the announcement.

The 14-member selection committee was headed by filmmaker P Sheshadri and comprised actor-director-producer Vijay Patkar, actor-director Hitu Kanodia, cinematographer Sanjib Parasar, dance master Shanth Kumar, director Narasimha Nandi, writer-director Sanjay Patil, editor VJ Sabu Joseph, director Anil Thomas, director Vasanth, actor-producer Viveck Vaswani, actor Tannishtha Chatterjee, production designer Bijon Dasgupta and producer Firdausul Hasan.

Speaking exclusively with India Today, Hasan said that Gondhal stood out in every aspect and was better than other films entered. "It nicely depicts the Indian culture, the photography and music are extraordinary. It was unanimously decided by the jury that it will represent India at the Academy," he said.

Sources also confirm that Ikkis and Angh were part of the top three films chosen by the jury.

Gondhal, which stars Kishor Kadam, Ishita Deshmukh, Yogesh Sohoni, Nishad Bhoir and Anuj Prabhu, is set against the backdrop of the traditional Maharashtrian Gondhal ritual, a night-long folk performance involving music, dance and mythology. What begins as a wedding celebration gradually turns into a dark tale of desire, jealousy, betrayal and buried tensions within a village.

The film marked director Santosh Davakhar's feature debut and premiered at the International Film Festival of India in Goa, where it won the Silver Peacock for Special Jury recognition.

Gondhal's theatrical run, however, was more modest than its festival journey. Released in November 2025, the film opened to limited box-office numbers, with trade reports describing its theatrical performance as subdued.

Gondhal's selection is only the first step. The Academy will subsequently conduct its International Feature Film voting process, first arriving at a 15-film shortlist and then selecting the final five nominees. The 99th Academy Awards are scheduled for March 14, 2027.

- Ends