Our Bureau
Mumbai
Marathi film Gondhal, directed and written by Santosh Davakhar, has been selected as India’s official entry for the 99th Academy Awards, where it will compete in the Best International Feature Film category. The Film Federation of India (FFI) announced the selection on Friday, choosing the film from 33 submissions.
Set in rural Maharashtra, Gondhal is a thriller that explores the intersection of deeply rooted traditions, personal aspirations and human frailties. The film draws on the traditional Gondhal ritual and folk-performance culture, incorporating elements of music, dance, mythology and religion into its narrative.
The story unfolds over a single night and centres on Suman, a woman trapped in an unhappy marriage to Anand, a wealthy man. Her relationship with Saheba, a Gondhali performer, leads her to plan an escape from her marriage. The situation takes a darker turn when Anand’s obsessive cousin Sarjerao becomes involved, setting off a chain of events involving deception, desire, murder and survival.
The film’s Oscar selection adds to its growing recognition on the festival circuit. Davakhar won the Silver Peacock for Best Director at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in 2025. Gondhal has also received recognition at the Bengaluru International Film Festival, Pune International Film Festival and Third Eye Asian International Film Festival.
The selection marks the fourth time a Marathi-language film has been chosen to represent India at the Oscars. Earlier entries were Shwaas in 2005, Harishchandrachi Factory in 2009 and Court in 2015. India has received three Best International Feature Film nominations so far, for Mother India, Salaam Bombay and Lagaan.