The Marathi psychological thriller selected as India’s Oscar entry premieres in six cities before its global rollout across six languages.
Gondhal is stepping into the spotlight earlier than expected. The Marathi psychological thriller, chosen by the Film Federation of India as India’s official entry for the 99th Academy Awards (Oscars 2027), will kick off its journey with exclusive preview screenings starting October 9.
Four theaters each in Mumbai and Pune will host the first wave, followed by screenings in Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad. These previews are a rare move for a regional film aiming for international recognition — offering audiences a chance to experience the film on the big screen before its wider theatrical launch.
The film, written and directed by Santosh Davakhar, draws from the traditional Gondhal ritual, a nocturnal folk performance rooted in Maharashtra’s cultural fabric. It weaves that spiritual intensity into a cerebral thriller exploring desire, memory, and hidden tensions. Ishita Deshmukh, Kishor Kadam, and Yogesh Sohoni anchor the cast in a story that’s deeply local yet emotionally universal.
Its festival run has already earned it accolades: Davakhar took home the Silver Peacock for Best Director at IFFI, and the film picked up the FIPRESCI Award at the Bengaluru International Film Festival. More recently, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis honored the team, underscoring its cultural significance.
Now, the film is set for a major multilingual rollout. Screening in Marathi, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada. That expansion marks a strategic leap for a regional film aiming not just at domestic success but at global resonance.
The early previews could be a test of word-of-mouth momentum. With no major star power or commercial trappings, Gondhal’s appeal rests on craft and narrative depth. If the response holds, it could become one of the most talked-about regional entries in recent memory.
The next milestone? A full theatrical release across India and overseas. Whether it translates festival acclaim into box-office traction remains to be seen, but the buzz is already building.
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