India’s official entry for the 99th Academy Awards, Marathi psychological thriller ‘Gondhal’, is set to connect with audiences through special preview screenings across six Indian cities. Directed and written by Santosh Davakhar, the film will be screened in Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru from October 9, ahead of its wider theatrical release.
The special screenings will initially be held in Marathi and Hindi. Mumbai and Pune will host the first screenings on October 9, with four theatres in each city, followed by screenings in the other four cities. The makers have said that the film will later be released worldwide in 6 languages — Marathi, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada. However, the date for the wider release has not yet been announced.
Set against the backdrop of the traditional Gondhal ritual of rural Maharashtra, the film blends cultural elements with psychological drama. The story revolves around Suman, a newly married woman who uses her lover Sarjerao’s obsession with the ritual, turning a sacred tradition into a dangerous and intense game. The film features actors including Ishita Deshmukh, Kishor Kadam and Yogesh Sohoni.
Speaking about the special screenings, director Santosh Davakhar said they are an opportunity to bring the film back to audiences who value the theatrical experience. He also highlighted the importance of experiencing the film’s atmosphere, sound and visual world on the big screen. The film’s selection as India’s official Oscar entry has now given ‘Gondhal’ a wider platform, with its makers preparing to take the Marathi story and Maharashtra’s cultural setting to audiences across India and overseas.