Marathi Film Gondhal Wins India’s Oscar 2027 Slot, Spotlights Ancient Ritual
Marathi thriller Gondhal is India’s official Oscar 2027 entry, beating Dhurandhar, and brings Maharashtra’s centuries-old Gondhal ritual to a global audience.
A quiet folk ritual from rural Maharashtra is now headed for the world’s biggest film stage. The Marathi-language thriller Gondhal has been named India’s official entry for the Oscars 2027, edging out heavyweight contenders to represent the country in the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards.
Directed by Santosh Davakhar, Gondhal was picked by the Film Federation of India (FFI) from a pool of 33 submissions, beating out the big-budget Hindi film Dhurandhar and the sleeper hit Hanuman Ansh. FFI president Abhay Sinha described the film as one that blends genres, calling it essentially a family drama woven with thriller elements. The 14-member selection panel was chaired by filmmaker P Sheshadri.
What Is the Gondhal Ritual?
At the heart of the film lies Gondhal, a centuries-old devotional tradition unique to Maharashtra. Traditionally performed by the Gondhali community, the ritual combines devotional singing, dance, and worship of local deities, usually held through the night. Dhol drums, the tuntune (a single-string instrument), metal percussion, and torches or oil lamps accompany the performance, as artists invoke the gods through song and movement before closing the ceremony with an aarti.
Far from being purely ceremonial entertainment, Gondhal has long been woven into Maharashtra’s social fabric — performed at weddings, family milestones, and religious festivals, drawing entire communities together for a night of shared devotion and music. Actor Kishor Kadam, who appears in the film, has spoken about watching Gondhal performances in his own village growing up, describing them as communal nights of prayer and celebration.
The Story Behind Gondhal
Set in rural Maharashtra, the film unfolds over a single midnight Gondhal ceremony. Actress Ishita Deshmukh plays Suman, a woman trapped in an unhappy arranged marriage into a wealthy family, whose life changes after she meets Saheba, a charismatic Gondhali performer. What follows is a slow unraveling of deception, shifting relationships, betrayal, and an eventual murder plot — all set against the backdrop of the ritual’s all-night music and ceremony.
The cast also includes Yogesh Sohoni, Nishad Bhoir, and Anuj Prabhu, with music composed by veteran Ilaiyaraaja. The film runs a little under two hours and was produced by Diksha Davakhar under Davakhar Films.
Why the Director Chose This Tradition
Santosh Davakhar, making his feature directorial debut with Gondhal, grew up watching Gondhal ceremonies firsthand, an experience that shaped his decision to build an entire narrative around the ritual. Speaking to PTI after the selection was announced, Davakhar said the team was confident going into submission that the film would become India’s official entry, adding that he was proud to represent the country.
The film had already built credibility on the festival circuit before its Oscar selection — Davakhar won the Silver Peacock for Best Director at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), a recognition that added momentum to Gondhal’s awards-season run.
Current Status: Entry, Not Nomination Yet
It’s worth clarifying what this selection actually means. Being named India’s official Oscar entry does not guarantee a nomination. Gondhal now enters the Academy’s formal International Feature Film review process, where the Academy will first narrow submissions from various countries down to a shortlist of 15 films, before a final five nominees are announced ahead of the ceremony.
Public and Cultural Impact
For Maharashtra, the film’s selection is being seen as more than an entertainment milestone. It offers international visibility to a folk tradition that had largely remained confined to villages and family functions, reframing Gondhal not just as a religious rite but as a marker of the state’s cultural identity. With the film’s OTT release still pending, its Oscar recognition is expected to boost interest from streaming platforms in the coming weeks.
Conclusion
Gondhal’s journey from a small-budget Marathi thriller to India’s official Oscar 2027 entry marks a significant moment for regional cinema and for Maharashtra’s cultural heritage alike. By anchoring its story in an authentic, centuries-old ritual, the film has managed to do something rare — turn a local tradition into a story with global reach. Whether or not it advances to the final Oscar shortlist, Gondhal has already succeeded in bringing the Gondhal ritual, and the community that keeps it alive, into the international spotlight.
FAQs (Featured Snippet Format)
Q1. What is Gondhal, and why was it selected as India’s Oscar entry for 2027?
Ans. Gondhal is a Marathi thriller directed by Santosh Davakhar, chosen by the Film Federation of India from 33 films to represent India in the Best International Feature category at the 99th Academy Awards.
Q2. What is the Gondhal ritual shown in the film?
Ans. Gondhal is a traditional Maharashtrian devotional ceremony involving music, dance, and worship of deities, typically performed at night by the Gondhali community during weddings and religious occasions.
Q3. Who stars in the film Gondhal?
Ans. The cast includes Ishita Deshmukh, Kishor Kadam, Yogesh Sohoni, Nishad Bhoir, and Anuj Prabhu, with music by Ilaiyaraaja.
Q4. Which films did Gondhal beat to become India’s Oscar entry?
Ans. Gondhal was selected over Dhurandhar and Hanuman Ansh, among 33 total submissions.
Q5. Has Gondhal been officially nominated for an Oscar?
Ans. No, being India’s official entry only means the film enters the Academy’s review process; a shortlist of 15 films will be announced before final nominees are confirmed.
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