The Indian film industry has officially set its sights on the global stage as the Marathi thriller Gondhal has been selected as India’s official entry for the International Feature Film category at the 2027 Oscars. The announcement was made on Friday by the Film Federation of India (FFI), following a rigorous selection process led by a 14-member committee chaired by acclaimed filmmaker P. Sheshadri. This diverse jury, consisting of industry veterans ranging from cinematographers to producers, chose the film from a highly competitive pool of national entries.
Directed by Santosh Davakhar, the two-hour gripping drama features a stellar ensemble cast including Kishor Kadam, Ishita Deshmukh, Yogesh Sohoni, Nishad Bhoir, and Anuj Prabhu. Set against the evocative cultural backdrop of rural Maharashtra, the film masterfully navigates the intense collision between age-old ritual traditions, personal ambition, and human vulnerability. Since its theatrical release on November 14, 2025, Gondhal has garnered significant critical acclaim, picking up awards at prestigious events like IFFI, the Bengaluru International Film Festival, the Pune International Film Festival, and the Third Eye Asian International Film Festival.
The team behind the project took to Instagram to express their gratitude, calling the selection a proud and historic moment for Indian cinema. In a heartfelt statement, the makers thanked the government, the FFI, and the jury for placing their trust in the film. They emphasized that this milestone is a collective victory for every artist and technician involved, noting that the film is now ready to carry the spirit of Maharashtra and the entire nation to the global stage at the 99th Academy Awards.