The team frames this not just as a film selection, but as a cultural correction. Director Davakhar insists the movie showcases India’s 'extraordinary cultural wealth' and 'collective memory,' aiming to shatter the Western stereotype that Indian cinema is only about poverty and caste conflict.
Insiders are buzzing about the sheer audacity of the craft. A 25-minute unbroken opening take is a massive risk for an awards contender, signaling that this debut director is prioritizing serious artistic ambition over easy commercial accessibility. The jury at IFFI even called it a 'Shakespearean fable,' which is huge praise for a first-timer.
1. Selected from 33 films for the 99th Academy Awards. 2. Director Santosh Davakhar won Silver Peacock at 56th IFFI. 3. Music composed by legendary Ilaiyaraaja. 4. Stars Ishita Deshmukh and Nishad Bhoir in a tragic love story.
This is a calculated swing for authenticity. India is betting on cultural specificity and high-stakes craft to break through the Oscar noise, proving that debut directors can still shake up Hollywood.
Hollywood’s attention is turning toward rural Maharashtra, where writer-director Santosh Davakhar’s debut feature, “Gondhal,” has officially been selected to represent India at the 99th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film. The announcement comes with the exclusive launch of the global trailer, marking a pivotal moment in the film’s awards campaign. Chosen from a competitive field of 33 submissions, the Marathi-language thriller is Davakhar’s first feature, signaling a significant debut for a filmmaker who has already made waves on the festival circuit.
The narrative stakes are high, both in the story and the industry. “Gondhal” unfolds over a single night during a traditional folk ritual, where devotion is expressed through song and theatrical storytelling. Ishita Deshmukh stars as Suman, a young wife trapped in a suffocating marriage who attempts to reclaim agency by manipulating her lover Sarjerao, played by Nishad Bhoir.
The plot hinges on the collision of personal desire with rigid codes of honor, culminating in tragedy. It’s a Shakespearean structure applied to a very specific cultural context, a choice that jury members at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) praised by calling the film “like a Shakespearean fable set in a real world.” Technically, the film is making a bold statement. Cinematographer Amalendu Chaudhary shot the movie with an opening unbroken take that lasts 25 minutes, a demanding feat that requires immense precision and likely contributed to its critical acclaim.
The production is backed by Davakhar Films, co-founded by Davakhar and his producer Diksha Davakhar, who aim to highlight regional stories with top-tier craft. Adding to its pedigree, legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja wrote the music and background score, a move that brings massive credibility and cultural weight to the project’s sonic landscape. Davakhar is explicit about his intent to reshape global perceptions.
“Global perceptions of Indian cinema are often shaped by narratives of poverty and caste conflict – important realities, but not the complete expression of India,” Davakhar said. He argues that India is also a civilization of “extraordinary cultural wealth,” sustained by traditions and collective memory. By focusing on the Gondhal ritual, he aims to present a culturally authentic yet universal cinematic language. With the Silver Peacock for Best Director already in his pocket from IFFI, Davakhar is no longer just a hopeful; he is a serious contender with a distinct vision that India’s selection committee has endorsed.
