Cinema VinesOn November 13, 2026, the psychological thriller Gondhal will hit theaters worldwide, following the release of its global trailer. Directed by Santosh Davakhar, the film has been selected as India’s official entry for the 99th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category and will be screened in seven languages—Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and English—across markets in India, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, Dubai, and Africa. According to the makers, this multilingual rollout marks the first time a Marathi film has been distributed in so many languages on a global theatrical scale.
Set against the cultural backdrop of Maharashtra, Gondhal follows the newlywed couple Suman and Anandrao as their lives unravel amid personal desires, marital duties, and devotion. The trailer hints at the couple’s strained circumstances and a series of mysterious events that drive the narrative, positioning the film firmly within the psychological thriller genre. The story is rooted in a lesser‑seen aspect of Indian culture, a point Davakhar emphasizes when he says, “Gondhal is not a film but generations of culture, people, traditions coming together.” He adds that presenting this tradition to the world brings him immense happiness.
Davakhar, who previously earned the Silver Peacock for Best Director at the 56th International Film Festival of India, speaks about the role of international platforms in showcasing regional stories. He believes that events like the Academy Awards help filmmakers bring the “ethnicity of our very roots” to audiences beyond India, allowing the world to experience India in its truest form. The director describes Gondhal as a culturally authentic and universally accessible cinematic language that brings a powerful tradition to the global screen.
The film’s cast includes Ishita Deshmukh, Kishor Kadam, Yogesh Sohani, and Nishad Bhoir, with production handled by Santosh and Diksha Davakhar under Davakhar Films. Amalendu Chaudhary provides the cinematography, and the opening sequence features a 25‑minute unbroken take, a detail highlighted by the makers. While Gondhal is confirmed for the Best International Feature Film category, the filmmakers are also exploring additional categories for the Oscars, though specific details remain undisclosed.
