Marathi film ‘Gondhal’ will represent India at the 2027 Oscars, marking a significant moment for Marathi cinema on the global stage. The film’s selection has brought national attention to its journey towards the prestigious awards.
Gondhal is a 2025 Marathi-language Indian thriller written and directed by Santosh Davakhar. The film stars Ishita Deshmukh, Yogesh Sohoni, Kishore Kadam, Suresh Vishwakarma, Nishad Bhoir, Anuj Prabhu, and Vitthal Kale in the main roles. It is reportedly the first Indian film to feature a continuous 25-minute-long take.
Marathi Film Gondhal has been making headlines after it was announced as India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards, or Oscars 2027. Directed by Santosh Davakhar, the film was selected from 33 submissions by the Film Federation of India.
Ever since the big announcement, the film has gained massive attention among moviegoers, with many wondering if Gondhal is available to watch online and where they can watch it. Let’s find out.
What is Gondhal about
Set in rural Maharashtra, the film revolves around Suman, played by Ishita Deshmukh. She is married to Anand, played by Yogesh Sohani, but her marriage is far from happy. Suman is in love with Sahebrao, also known as Murali, played by Anuj Prabhu, a Gondhali performer. She wants to get out of her marriage and eventually comes up with a dangerous plan.
Anand’s cousin Sarjerao, played by Nishad Bhoir, becomes an important part of that plan. Suman uses his obsession and emotions to push him towards killing Anand, hoping this will clear the way for her escape with Sahebrao.
Gondhal was chosen from 33 films submitted for consideration and became the latest Marathi film to represent India in the Oscar race. It is the fourth Marathi film to be selected as India’s official Oscar entry, after Shwaas, Harishchandrachi Factory and Court.
In an exclusive conversation with IANS, filmmaker Santosh Davakhar spoke about his vision for Gondhal and his aim to take the film to an international audience. Inspired by his experiences at Cannes and other global festivals, Davakhar wanted to showcase India beyond the usual narratives of poverty and social issues, focusing instead on its rich culture and traditions.
He also studied international cinema and screenwriting extensively while developing the film. With Gondhal, he aimed to create a simple yet engaging thriller mystery that combines storytelling with the richness of Indian rituals and heritage.
With Gondhal, Santosh Davakhar hopes to take Marathi cinema beyond borders while showcasing the depth of India’s culture and traditions. As the film heads towards the Oscars 2027, all eyes are now on its journey on the global stage.
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