Following the selection of the Marathi psychological thriller Gondhal as India's official submission for the 2027 Oscars, prominent filmmaker Anurag Kashyap publicly questioned the nation's selection committee. He remarked that India frequently chooses the wrong titles for global awards. In response, Gondhal director Santosh Davakhar addressed the comments on social media, defending his project while reiterating his respect for Kashyap's body of work.
The Flight Encounter and Premature Judgement
Santosh Davakhar revealed that he personally respects Anurag Kashyap and his filmmaking craft. Sharing a previous exchange, Davakhar recounted meeting Kashyap on April 26 during a flight travelling from Bengaluru to Mumbai, where he introduced Gondhal to him. During that interaction, Kashyap acknowledged that he had neither heard of nor watched the film, though he expressed an intention to view it later. Davakhar pointed out that since that encounter, the film has neither been accessible to the wider public nor screened in Mumbai. On that basis, he appealed to everyone, including seasoned filmmakers, to reserve final judgement until they have actually watched the movie.
A Big-Screen Psychological Thriller
Describing the essence of his creation, Davakhar explained that Gondhal is a psychological thriller directed by an industry outsider. He noted that the narrative roots itself deeply in regional Marathi culture while maintaining a broad global appeal. Furthermore, the director emphasised that the production was envisioned and executed specifically for a theatrical big-screen experience, rather than being tailored for digital streaming or OTT formats.
Representing India and Theatrical Re-Release
Davakhar stated that representing the entire country on a platform as immense as the Oscars carries significant weight, and his team is prepared to shoulder that duty with full dedication. With the film slated for an upcoming theatrical re-release, he called upon moviegoers and cinema enthusiasts to visit cinemas, view the story first-hand, and extend their support.
Kashyap's Criticism and Strategic Concerns
The controversy began when Anurag Kashyap argued in a media interaction that India regularly misses out on prestigious international honours due to flawed selection choices. Citing past instances, Kashyap highlighted celebrated titles such as The Lunchbox and All We Imagine as Light to show how deserving cinema was overlooked. Kashyap argued that any contender chosen for the Oscars ought to possess international film festival exposure or secure proper distribution across the United States. He previously suggested that Gondhal focus on building visibility across global film ceremonies before entering the Academy Awards race.
