Cinema VinesThe Marathi feature Gondhal, written, directed and produced by Santosh Davakhar and produced by Diksha Davakhar, has been chosen as India’s official entry for the Oscars 2027. To secure the support it needs for promotion and representation in the United States, the film’s team met with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The meeting was arranged by filmmaker and IFTDA President Ashoke Pandit and was led by Ameet Satam, President of the BJP Mumbai unit. The delegation, which included Ashok Dubey (General Secretary, FWICE), Nishant Ujwal, filmmaker Swapna Waghmare Joshi from IFTDA, and cast members Kishore Kadam, Ishita Deshmukh and Yogesh Sohani, appealed to the Chief Minister for financial and infrastructural assistance to help the movie’s international campaign.
During the discussion, the team highlighted that “Gondhal’s Oscar journey is not just a milestone for the film but also an important moment for Marathi cinema.” They expressed gratitude to CM Fadnavis for allowing them to present their request and to discuss the film’s global strategy.
The delegation stressed that the right support and resources are essential for the film to make a strong impact in America and to showcase Marathi cinema on a worldwide stage. They hoped that the assistance granted at this stage would enable them to represent the film and the regional industry with greater strength.
In related news, the Chief Minister also met the Hanuman Ansh team at his residence, congratulating Vishal Chaturvedi. The meeting underscores the state’s interest in promoting regional film talent on international platforms.
