Independent Morning Bureau.
Dayashankar Tripathi.
After being selected by the Film Federation of India (FFI) as India's official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards (Oscars 2027), the acclaimed Marathi folk-thriller film Gondhal is now all set for a grand release in theaters across the country on November 13, 2026.
Written, directed and produced under the banner of Davkhar Films, the film has received widespread appreciation from critics. Now it is ready to entertain audiences across the country. The film will be released in India in Marathi, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada languages.
Expressing pride in bringing an authentic regional story to audiences across the country ahead of the Oscar race, director Santosh Davkhar said, “When we set out to make Gondhal, our sole aim was to remain completely true to the true culture, mysterious rhythms and untold layers of our soil. It is a moment of great honor and emotion for us to see this folk-thriller rooted in our roots receiving such a profound response that it became India's official entry to the Oscars. Now 13 November Releasing it across India feels like this story is completing its journey and returning to where it started.”
He further added, “Cinema knows no linguistic boundaries when its emotions are genuine and heartfelt. I am extremely grateful that audiences from every corner of India will be able to experience this sacred and thrilling journey together on the big screen.”
Set in the rural setting of Maharashtra, Gondhal is a story of a dark and mysterious web of passion and betrayal. The story of the film revolves around a young woman named Suman, who is trapped in a stifling and unhappy married life. Seeking a way out, she takes advantage of her lover Sarjerao's deep, fanatical attachment to the traditional and sacred Gondhal ritual.
Local power struggles, hidden intentions and secret betrayals collide during this traditional folk ritual held in the dark of night. In no time, a holy night in the village turns into a dangerous game full of crime, mystery and its consequences, the truth of which has to be revealed before dawn.
Kishore Kadam, Ishita Deshmukh, Yogesh Sohoni, Nishad Bhoir and Anuj Prabhu will be seen in lead roles in the film. The film's music has been helmed by renowned composer Ilaiyaraaja, while Amalendu Chowdhary has done the cinematography.