Marathi Film ‘Gondhal’ Selected As India’s Official Entry For 99th Academy Awards

Marathi-language film ‘Gondhal’, directed by Santosh Davakhar, has been chosen as India’s official entry for the 99th Academy Awards. The Film Federation of India announced the selection in Mumbai on Friday, with the film entering the Best International Film category.

A total of 33 films were considered for the country’s official submission this year. ‘Gondhal’ features Kishor Kadam, Ishita Deshmukh, Yogesh Sohoni, Nishad Bhoir and Anuj Prabhu in key roles.

Film Draws From Maharashtra’s Traditional Gondhal Ritual

Set against the backdrop of the traditional Maharashtrian Gondhal ritual, the film explores a night-long folk performance centred on music, dance and mythology.

Among the other films in contention were Diljit Dosanjh’s ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’, ‘Border 2’, the Ranveer Singh-starrer ‘Dhurandhar’ franchise, ‘Dug Dug’, ‘Haq’, ‘Bhamardo’, ‘120 Bahadur’, ‘Sing Geetham’, ‘Tera Mera Nata’, ‘Ladoo’, ‘Ohh My Dog’, ‘Balan The Boy’, ‘Peddi’, ‘Irumudi’, ‘Khoonta’, ‘Gandhi Talks’, ‘Bison Kalaamadan’, ‘Shape of Momo’, ‘Governor’, ‘2020 Delhi’, ‘Commando Vin Love Story’, ‘Pravas’, ‘Man Aatale Manaatle’, ‘Obsess’, ‘Egwa’, ‘Angh’, ‘Hanuman Ansh’ and ‘Ikkis’.

Fourth Marathi Film To Represent India

‘Gondhal’ becomes the fourth Marathi film to be selected as India’s official entry for the Academy Awards, following ‘Shwaas’, ‘Harishchandrachi Factory’ and ‘Court’.

Last year, Neeraj Ghaywan’s drama ‘Homebound’, starring Vishal Jethwa and Ishaan Khatter, was selected as India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards. The film later made it to the 15-film Oscars shortlist in the category.

99th Academy Awards Set For March 2027

The 99th Academy Awards, honouring films released during 2026, are scheduled to take place on March 14, 2027, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles.

Conan O’Brien is set to return as host for the third consecutive year. The eligibility period runs from January 1 to December 31, 2026, while Oscar nominations are scheduled to be announced on January 21, 2027.

The 99th ceremony will take place a year before the Academy Awards’ centenary celebration in 2028, when the 100th Oscars are scheduled to be held.