Gondhal has been selected as India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards, scheduled for March 14, 2027. The Film Federation of India (FFI) announced the selection on September 18, 2026, choosing the Marathi-language film from 33 films considered for this year’s submission. Written and directed by Santosh Davakhar, the film is set in rural Maharashtra and draws heavily from the region’s traditional Gondhal ritual and folk culture.

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Gondhal Selected From 33 Films

The Film Federation of India conducted the selection process for India’s official Oscars submission. A total of 33 Indian films were considered this year, including films in several Indian languages.

The final selection of Gondhal gives Marathi cinema another opportunity to represent India on the international stage. According to reports, this is the fourth Marathi-language film to be selected as India’s official entry for the Oscars. Earlier selections included Shwaas in 2005, Harishchandrachi Factory in 2009 and Court in 2015.

The selection does not mean the film has already received an Oscar nomination. It now enters the Academy’s process for the International Feature Film category, where submitted films go through further consideration before the shortlist and final nominations are announced.

Story Set Around a Traditional Ritual

Gondhal is a Marathi thriller written and directed by Santosh Davakhar. The story is set in rural Maharashtra and uses the traditional Gondhal ritual as an important part of its setting.

The film explores relationships, personal desires, cultural traditions and human vulnerability. Its story unfolds around a newly married couple and a night connected with a traditional ritual, bringing together elements of folk culture and psychological tension.

The use of a regional cultural tradition gives the film a strong connection to Maharashtra. At the same time, its themes of relationships, emotions and conflict provide a wider human setting for audiences outside the region.

Santosh Davakhar’s Film Recognition

The Oscars selection is not the first major recognition for Davakhar. The director received the Silver Peacock for Best Director at the 56th International Film Festival of India in 2025 for Gondhal. The film has also received attention at other film festivals, helping it gain recognition before its selection as India’s official Oscars entry.

The festival recognition has added to the film’s profile as it moves towards international awards consideration. Davakhar has also spoken about the importance of presenting Indian cultural traditions through regional cinema and taking such stories to international audiences.

Marathi Cinema Gets Another Global Platform

The selection of Gondhal comes at a time when Indian regional cinema is receiving wider attention internationally. Films made in languages other than Hindi have increasingly appeared at major festivals and international award events.

Marathi cinema has already had a presence in the Oscars process through films such as Shwaas, Harishchandrachi Factory and Court. With Gondhal, Marathi-language filmmaking will once again be at the centre of India’s international cinema campaign.

The selection also highlights the range of India’s film industry, where stories are produced in many languages and rooted in different regional cultures.

What Happens Next for Gondhal

After being selected by the FFI, Gondhal will move into the Academy’s International Feature Film consideration process. The Academy’s rules provide for a shortlist before the final nominations are announced.

For the 99th Academy Awards, the Academy has scheduled the Oscars shortlist announcement for December 15, 2026. The nominations are scheduled to be announced on January 21, 2027. The final Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 14, 2027, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

This means the film’s current status is that of India’s official submission. Whether it progresses to the shortlist or receives a final nomination will be decided through the Academy’s voting process.

India’s Oscar Journey Continues

India has a long history of submitting films for the International Feature Film category. However, no Indian film has won the category so far. Three Indian films Mother India, Salaam Bombay! and Lagaan have received nominations in the category, according to reports on India’s Oscar history.

The selection of Gondhal therefore adds another chapter to India’s continuing participation in the Academy Awards. Its journey also comes as Indian cinema continues to gain international attention through film festivals, streaming platforms and global theatrical releases.

Regional Stories Reach International Audiences

The choice of a Marathi film for India’s 2027 Oscars submission places Maharashtra’s folk traditions and regional storytelling at the centre of a global film event. Gondhal combines a local cultural setting with a thriller narrative, giving international audiences an opportunity to encounter a part of India’s cultural landscape through cinema.

The film’s next stage will focus on the Academy’s eligibility, viewing and voting process. The 99th Oscars rules state that films must meet the Academy’s requirements for the International Feature Film category and other applicable eligibility conditions.