Gondhal Selected as India’s Official Entry for 2027 Oscars
Santosh Davakhar’s Marathi film Gondhal has been selected as India’s official entry for the 2027 Oscars in the International Feature Film category, with music by Ilaiyaraaja.
Dharshini
Gondhal Selected as India’s Official Entry for 2027 Oscars
Marathi film Gondhal, directed by Santosh Davakhar, has been selected as India’s official entry for the 2027 Academy Awards. The Film Federation of India announced the selection on September 18, 2026, with the film chosen to represent India in the International Feature Film category at the 99th Oscars.
The film features music composed by veteran musician Ilaiyaraaja and is set against the backdrop of Maharashtra’s traditional Gondhal ritual, which combines elements of music, dance, mythology and folklore.
Gondhal was selected from 33 films submitted for consideration, marking another opportunity for Marathi cinema to represent India on the international stage.
The film had already received recognition at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025, where director Santosh Davakhar received the Silver Peacock for Best Director, according to reports.
With its official selection, Gondhal will now enter the Oscars process, where the film will compete for a place in the final International Feature Film nominations. The 99th Academy Awards are scheduled to take place on March 14, 2027, in Los Angeles.
