It is indeed a proud moment for the Indian film industry to be selected by the Film Federation of India (FFI) as the nominee of India for the 99th Academy Awards (Oscars 2027) under the Best International Feature Film category. This nomination includes the acclaimed Marathi thriller film Gondhal directed by Santosh Davakhar. Amongst the 33 films being considered for this award, Gondhal is one. This film is set in the rural part of Maharashtra and combines elements of folk culture and psychology in the story.

What Is Marathi Film Gondhal About?

The Gondhal movie is essentially a psychological thriller that captures the socio-cultural realities of rural Maharashtra. The title of the movie is drawn from an overnight "Gondhal" ceremony where couples and communities dance and enact stories for deities. In this tale, the midnight ritual serves as a backdrop against which human frailty, caste politics, secrets, and conflicts between folklore and contemporary social realities are explored.

Gondhal Movie Story And Plot Explained

The story is essentially set within the span of a single night that takes place through an ancient ritual performed for a young couple who just got married. With the festivities, music, songs, and performances taking place, there emerges certain suppressed human conflicts, secretive purposes, and rivalry amongst the villagers. Through its clever mixing of spirituality, suspense, and social cleavages, the story uncovers certain secrets as the night becomes day.

Who Is In The Cast Of Gondhal?

The film features a strong ensemble cast of acclaimed Marathi theater and screen actors:

  • Ishita Deshmukh as Suman

  • Yogesh Sohoni as Anand ‘Aandya’

  • Kishor Kadam as Bhivaba

  • Suresh Vishwakarma as Patil

  • Nishad Bhoir as Sarjerao

  • Anuj Prabhu as Sahebrao (Murali)

  • Vitthal Kale as Mohan

  • Music: Legendary maestro Ilaiyaraaja composed the musical score.

    • Gondhal Movie Release Date And Other Details

    • Initial Theatrical Release: Gondhal was released in theaters across India on November 14, 2025.

  • Director & Writer: Santosh Davakhar

  • Production: Davakhar Films, with distribution handled by AA Films

  • Oscars 2027 Schedule: The 99th Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 14, 2027 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

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