Marathi Film 'Gondhal' Named India's Official Entry for Oscars 2027

New Delhi: The Marathi thriller "Gondhal" has been selected as India's official entry in the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards, the Film Federation of India announced on Friday. The film was chosen from a field of 33 submissions, according to P Seshadri, chairperson of the selection committee.

Written, directed and produced by Santosh Davakhar, , "Gondhal" is set in rural Maharashtra and unfolds over the course of a night during a traditional ritual centred on a newly-wed couple. The film had its theatrical release in Maharashtra in November 2025 and previously earned Davakhar the Silver Peacock for Best Director at the International Film Festival of India, along with honours at the Pune International Film Festival and the Bengaluru International Film Festival.

"Gondhal" becomes the fourth Marathi film to represent India at the Oscars, following "Shwaas" (2005), "Harishchandrachi Factory" (2009) and "Court" (2015). None of India's past official entries have gone on to win the Best International Feature Film award, though three Indian productions -- "Mother India," "Salaam Bombay" and "Lagaan" -- have previously received nominations in the category.

Other notable films considered for this year's submission included Yami Gautam's "Haq," Aditya Dhar's "Dhurandhar," Sunny Deol's "Border 2," Imtiaz Ali's "Main Vaapas Aaunga" and Farhan Akhtar's "120 Bahadur." Last year, India's entry was Neeraj Ghaywan's "Homebound," which did not make the final list of nominees. The 99th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for March 14, 2027.