Gondhal movie: India's Oscars 2027 entry and why it’s trending

Why Gondhal movie is trending in India

On 18 September 2026 the Film Federation of India announced that the Marathi film Gondhal would be the country’s official submission for the 99th Academy Awards (Oscars 2027). The news caused a sharp rise in online interest; Google Trends recorded a 600 % increase in searches for “gondhal movie” and roughly 20 000 queries in the preceding 24 hours. This spike reflects public curiosity about the film’s Oscar status and its cultural background.

Film details and creative team

Directed by Santosh Davakhar, Gondhal is set in rural Maharashtra and centres on a traditional Gondhal ritual that unfolds over a single night. The story follows Suman, played by Ishita Deshmukh, a woman trapped in an oppressive marriage who plans an escape with a forbidden lover, blurring devotion, deception and fate. Supporting actors include Kishor Kadam, Yogesh Sohani, Nishad Bhoir, Anuj Prabhu and Dhru Thoke. The soundtrack is composed by veteran Ilaiyaraaja. The film had its world premiere at the 56th International Film Festival of India in Goa in 2025, where Davakhar received the Silver Peacock for Best Director.

Marathi cinema's Oscar track record

Gondhal marks the fourth Marathi title submitted by India for the Best International Feature Film category. Earlier entries were Shwaas (2005), Harishchandrachi Factory (2009) and Court (2015). According to the Wikipedia list of Indian submissions, none of these films have secured an Oscar win; India’s only nominations in the category have been Mother India (1957), Salaam Bombay! (1988) and Lagaan (2001). The entry for 2026‑2027 is currently listed as pending, awaiting the Academy’s screening and voting process.

What happens after the FFI selection

After being chosen by the Film Federation of India, Gondhal will be sent to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences with English subtitles. The Academy will screen the film for its voting members; if it receives enough support, it will be nominated for the 99th Oscars. The ceremony is scheduled for 14 March 2027. Until then, the film’s status remains “pending” on official submission lists.

How to verify the information

The announcement is reported in The Hindu on 18 September 2026. The Wikipedia page List of Indian submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film shows Gondhal (2026) marked as pending. For details on the Oscars timeline and rules, the Academy’s official Rules & Eligibility page confirms the 99th ceremony date of 14 March 2027.