Gondhal is set to make its case on the global stage after being selected as India’s official entry for the 99th Academy Awards, with the makers planning a nationwide theatrical push.
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India’s Oscar entry Gondhal begins campaign (PC: IMDb)
There is now a new phase in Gondhal‘s journey as the Marathi film prepares to take its Oscar campaign beyond the announcement of its selectionThe film has already created interest after being chosen as India’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy AwardsNow the team is preparing to put the film in front of more viewers in India before its wider releaseSpecial screenings have been planned in select cities, giving cinema lovers an opportunity to watch the film earlyThe move also comes as the makers begin their efforts to introduce Gondhal to Academy members ahead of the awards season.
Gondhal announces paid previews from October 10
The makers of Gondhal have announced special paid previews beginning October 10These screenings will take place at selected theatres across different Indian cities before the film gets its worldwide release.
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Davakhar Films, which has produced the film, shared the announcement on InstagramThe production house described Gondhal as a Marathi cerebral psychological thriller rooted in culture and focused on the complexities of the human mindThe paid previews are expected to give audiences an early opportunity to experience the film on the big screen while the team continues preparations for its international awards campaign.
See official post from Gondhal makers here
What is Gondhal about?
Directed by Santosh Davakhar, Gondhal is set against the cultural backdrop of rural MaharashtraThe story unfolds over a single night during a traditional Gondhal folk-performance ritual and follows Suman, a young bride trapped in a difficult marriage.
As the night progresses, the film turns the ritual into the centre of a psychological battleSuman uses her lover’s obsession with the sacred tradition as part of an attempt to escape her suffocating circumstancesThe narrative explores desperation, obsession and the complicated workings of the human mind.
Kishor Kadam leads the Marathi thriller
The film features Kishor Kadam, Ishita Deshmukh, Yogesh Sohoni, Nishad Bhoir and Anuj Prabhu in key rolesIts music has been composed by legendary musician Ilaiyaraaja, adding another major creative element to the psychological dramaThe film’s cultural setting is also central to its identityRather than using the Gondhal tradition simply as a backdrop, the story places the ritual at the heart of its tense narrative.
Gondhal’s journey to the 99th Academy Awards
Gondhal has been selected as India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards, scheduled to take place in 2027.
The Oscar campaign will now involve introducing the film to members of the Academy and building awareness around its story, performances and filmmakingThe paid previews in India form part of the film’s wider journey before its worldwide release.
