16 October,2026 04:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Gondhal release date. Pic via X
Marathi folk-thriller Gondhal, selected as India's official entry for the 99th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category, is set for a pan-India theatrical release on November 13, 2026. Written, directed and produced by Santosh Davakhar under the banner of Davakhar Films, the film will release in Marathi, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada.
The announcement follows the Film Federation of India's (FFI) selection of the film on September 18, 2026, putting the Marathi production in the spotlight ahead of the 2027 Oscars. Rooted in the folk traditions of rural Maharashtra, the thriller combines cultural elements with a story of obsession, betrayal and crime.
Speaking about the film's Oscar recognition and upcoming release, Davakhar said, "When we set out to make Gondhal, our only goal was to stay fiercely true to the raw culture, haunting rhythms, and untold layers of our soil. To see this deeply rooted folk-thriller resonate so profoundly that it becomes India's official Oscar entry is an overwhelming honour. Now, bringing it to audiences across the country on November 13 in a Pan-India release feels like bringing the story back full circle."
He added, "Cinema has no language barriers when the emotion is raw and honest, and I am filled with immense gratitude that viewers from every corner of India will get to experience this sacred, suspenseful journey on the big screen together."
The filmmaker's vision is to take a story steeped in Marathi culture beyond its regional roots while retaining the traditions and atmosphere at its heart. The six-language release will allow audiences across India to experience the film in theatres.
Set in rural Maharashtra, Gondhal follows Suman, a young woman trapped in an unhappy and suffocating marriage. Looking for a way out, she uses her lover Sarjerao's intense, almost fanatical attachment to the sacred Gondhal ritual to pursue her own plans.
The story unfolds over the course of an overnight folk ritual, as local power struggles, concealed motives and secret betrayals transform a sacred village gathering into a dangerous chain of events. As the night progresses, the narrative builds towards a tense confrontation with crime and its consequences before dawn.
The film features Kishor Kadam, Ishitaa Deshmukh, Yogesh Sohoni, Nishad Bhoir and Anuj Prabhu. Adding to its technical credentials, acclaimed composer Ilaiyaraaja has composed the music, while Amalendu Chaudhary serves as cinematographer.
Gondhal is preparing to bring its blend of Marathi folk culture and suspense to a wider theatrical audience as it enters the Oscar race. The film releases on November 13, 2026.
