Marathi film Gondhal is India's official entry for the 2027 Oscars
The Film Federation of India picked Santosh Davakhar's Marathi film Gondhal as India's submission for Best International Feature at the 99th Academy Awards. The jury, chaired by P Sheshadri, chose it from 33 entries.
The Film Federation of India (FFI) has selected the Marathi film Gondhal as India's official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards. The announcement was made in Mumbai in mid-September 2026.
About the film
- Director: Santosh Davakhar, in his first feature film
- Language: Marathi
- Cast: Kishor Kadam, Ishita Deshmukh, Yogesh Sohani, Nishad Bhoir and Anuj Prabhu
- Music: Ilaiyaraaja
- Theatrical release: November 2025
The film takes its name from the gondhal, a traditional devotional folk performance from Maharashtra. Its story follows a bride who uses her lover's obsession with the ritual to escape a suffocating relationship, blending folk tradition with suspense.
How it was chosen
A jury headed by Kannada filmmaker P Sheshadri watched 33 submissions across languages before choosing Gondhal. The jury said the decision was unanimous. The shortlist reportedly also included Hindi titles such as Ikkis.
Director Santosh Davakhar told ANI that he sees the selection as a representation of all films from India.
What happens next
| Step | What it means |
|---|---|
| Submission | Gondhal goes to the Academy as India's single entry |
| Shortlist | The Academy announces a shortlist of international films before nominations |
| Nominations | Five films are nominated in the category |
| Ceremony | The 99th Oscars are scheduled for 14 March 2027 in Los Angeles |
India has been nominated in this category only three times - for Mother India, Salaam Bombay! and Lagaan - and has never won it. Regional-language films have increasingly been chosen as India's entry in recent years.
Frequently asked questions
What is India's official Oscar entry for 2027?
The Marathi film Gondhal, directed by Santosh Davakhar.
Who selects India's Oscar entry?
The Film Federation of India, through a jury. This year's jury was chaired by P Sheshadri.
Sources
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