Oscars 2027: Marathi Film Gondhal to represent India at the Academy Awards
Oscars 2027: Marathi film Gondhal, written and directed by Santosh Davakhar, has been chosen as India’s official entry for the 99th Academy Awards.
Oscars 2027: Indian cinema has another reason to celebrate as Marathi film Gondhal has been selected as India’s official entry for the Oscars 2027. The Film Federation of India announced the selection on September 18. Directed and written by Santosh Davakhar, the film will compete for a place in the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards.
Oscars 2027The Oscars ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 14, 2027, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. For Gondhal, the journey has only just begun, as the film will now campaign for a place on the Academy’s official shortlist.
Story Rooted in MaharashtraSet in rural Maharashtra, Gondhal brings together suspense, relationships and local tradition. The story follows Suman, played by Ishita Deshmukh, a married woman whose seemingly comfortable life hides deep unhappiness. When she tries to escape her difficult circumstances, her decision sets off a chain of desire, betrayal and deception.
The film gets its name from the traditional Gondhal folk-performance ritual, which plays an important role in the story. Taking place around a midnight ritual involving a newly married couple, the film uses Maharashtra’s rich cultural tradition to create an atmosphere that is both mysterious and dramatic.
The cast includes Kishor Kadam, Ishita Deshmukh, Yogesh Sohoni, Suresh Vishwakarma, Kailash Waghmare, Nishad Bhoir and Madhavi Juvekar. Veteran composer Ilaiyaraaja has created the film’s music.
Strong CompetitionThis year, Gondhal was selected from 33 films submitted from across India. The entries included 14 Hindi films, four Marathi films, four Telugu films, four Gujarati films and three Tamil films, along with films in Malayalam, Konyak and Nepali. A silent film was also among the submissions. The Naga film Angh and Tamil film Dorothy were among the other contenders.
Only the Fourth Marathi Film to Reach This StageThe selection is particularly significant for Marathi cinema. Gondhal is only the fourth Marathi film to be chosen as India’s official Oscar entry. It follows Shwaas (2004), Harishchandrachi Factory (2009) and Court (2015).
Interestingly, Gondhal had a modest theatrical run after its release on November 14, 2025, earning less than Rs 1 crore. However, its festival journey brought greater attention, including recognition at the Pune International Film Festival and Bengaluru International Film Festival. Director Santosh Davakhar had also won the Silver Peacock Award at IFFI 2025.
Looking Back at the Previous OscarsLast year, India was represented by Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound, which was selected as the country’s official entry. With Gondhal, the spotlight now moves to Marathi cinema and its distinctive blend of culture and storytelling.
From a traditional Maharashtra ritual to the international stage of the Oscars, Gondhal has already travelled a remarkable distance. The next chapter will be watched closely as the film begins its journey towards the 2027 Academy Awards.