Marathi Thriller 'Gondhal' Chosen as India's Official Entry for Oscars 2027

Marathi thriller Gondhal will represent India in the International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards, the Film Federation of India announced on Friday.

The selection was made by an FFI committee of 14 members drawn from different regions and areas of expertise across the Indian film industry, with filmmaker P Sheshadri as its chairman. The panel included filmmakers, actors, producers, cinematographers, editors and other professionals.

Directed by Santosh Davakhar, Gondhal features Kishor Kadam, Ishita Deshmukh, Yogesh Sohoni, Nishad Bhoir and Anuj Prabhu in lead roles, and runs for roughly two hours. It was chosen from among the films entered for consideration.

Set in rural Maharashtra, the film explores the tension between ritual tradition, personal ambition and human vulnerability. It has already picked up recognition on the festival circuit, including awards at IFFI, the Bengaluru International Film Festival, the Pune International Film Festival and the Third Eye Asian International Film Festival. It was released in theatres on November 14, 2025.

Announcing the selection on the film's Instagram page, the makers called it a proud and historic moment for Indian cinema. They thanked the Government of India, the FFI, the jury members and the wider film fraternity for placing their trust in the film, and credited the cast and crew for the achievement, saying the milestone belonged to every artist and technician who worked on it. From the soil of Maharashtra to the global stage, the team said, Gondhal carries the spirit of India.

The entry marks a significant moment for Marathi cinema, which now carries the country's hopes in the Academy Awards' International Feature Film race.