'Gondhal' Makers Launch Oscar Campaign With Special Previews
Marathi thriller Gondhal, India's official Oscar entry, begins special paid previews across India ahead of its worldwide release.
The makers of the Marathi psychological thriller Gondhal have officially begun their journey toward the 99th Academy Awards. Following the film's announcement as India's official submission for the 2027 Oscars, the production team is launching an intensive campaign to capture the attention of Academy voters.
To build momentum before its wide worldwide release, Davakhar Films has announced that special paid previews will begin on October 10. These screenings will take place across select cities and theatres in India, offering cinephiles a first look at the film.
A Cerebral Journey into the Human Mind
Produced by Diksha Davakhar under the Davakhar Films banner, Gondhal is described as a cerebral psychological thriller that remains deeply rooted in culture while exploring the intricate complexities of the human psyche. Directed by Santosh Davakhar, the film features lead performances by Kishor Kadam, Ishita Deshmukh, Yogesh Sohoni, Nishad Bhoir, and Anuj Prabhu.
The film's selection as India's official entry was the result of a rigorous process by the Film Federation of India. For the creators, the recognition is both a milestone and a heavy mantle of responsibility.
The Road to the 99th Academy Awards
Speaking on the significance of the selection, director-producer Santosh Davakhar expressed that the team has been preparing for this specific moment for over a year. He noted that the team always maintained confidence in the quality of the work they produced.
"When you go in front of the Oscars voters, that means you are representing your nation," Davakhar told ANI. "It’s a big responsibility for our team, for Team Gondhal, and for me as a director as well."
The upcoming months are expected to be grueling as the campaign moves into high gear. The director highlighted the scale of the task ahead, noting the necessity of securing a significant number of votes from Academy members.
- Target: Aiming to secure between 6,000 to 7,000 votes.
- Strategy: An intensive campaign to introduce the film to Academy members.
- Vision: To create a film that commands respect from every technician in the Indian film industry.
Rather than viewing the selection as a competition against other domestic films, Davakhar views Gondhal as a representative of the broader Indian film industry on the global stage. The approximately two-hour cinematic work is now poised to begin its push for international recognition.