Gondhal Director Santosh Dawakhar Responds to Anurag Kashyap Criticising India Oscar 2027 Selection Santosh Dawakhar, director of India official Oscar 2027 entry Gondhal, has addressed filmmaker Anurag Kashyap remarks regarding the film selection, urging critics to watch the psychological thriller before judging. Santosh Dawakhar, the filmmaker behind India official submission for Oscar 2027, the Marathi feature Gondhal, has responded to pointed comments made by director Anurag Kashyap. Kashyap had previously voiced strong criticism of the national selection process, stating that the country frequently ends up sending completely the wrong films to compete at the Academy Awards. Dawakhar took to social media to offer clarity on the matter and present his perspective. The In-Flight Conversation Between Filmmakers Expressing profound regard for Kashyap and his distinctive approach to cinema, Dawakhar recounted an encounter between the two filmmakers. The conversation took place on 26 April during a flight journey from Bengaluru to Mumbai, where Dawakhar introduced Kashyap to the project Gondhal. During that exchange, Kashyap openly mentioned that he had neither heard of the film nor watched it, though he expressed an intention to view it whenever possible. Dawakhar highlighted that since that encounter, the film has remained unavailable to the broader public and has not had any screenings organized in Mumbai. Because the project has not yet been accessible for viewing, the director requested people to refrain from arriving at conclusions about a cinematic work without experiencing it on screen first. A Psychological Thriller Crafted for Big Screens Describing the essence of Gondhal, Dawakhar explained that it is a psychological thriller helmed by a fresh director who entered the craft from outside the conventional film circles. The narrative weaves authentic Marathi cultural elements into a format designed to connect with international viewers. He underscored that the production was specifically envisioned and executed for a theatrical big screen experience, rather than an OTT streaming release. Dawakhar emphasized that stepping onto a global stage like the Oscars to represent India is a massive responsibility that his team intends to shoulder with total earnestness. In line with that vision, he urged moviegoers to turn up at cinema halls during the film upcoming theatrical re-release to experience the story firsthand and offer their backing. Kashyap Objections to the Selection Framework The controversy initially sparked after Kashyap commented during a media interaction that Indian cinema consistently misses out on global honours because the selection committees repeatedly make flawed choices. To substantiate his point, he cited notable past instances involving critically acclaimed titles such as The Lunchbox and All We Imagine as Light, arguing that sound decisions were bypassed on those occasions. Kashyap further asserted that any movie chosen to represent the nation at the Oscars ought to possess prior acclaim from premier international film festivals or secure active distribution in the United States. He had suggested that Gondhal focus on establishing its footprint across global film festival circuits first before taking on the Oscar race. What this means for you The public exchange has brought widespread visibility to the regional project, directly shaping expectations for cinephiles. • Cinema Tickets: Audiences will receive an opportunity to watch this contested Marathi title on the big screen during its upcoming re-release. Viewers interested in regional cinema can track local theatrical listings to catch the screening. • Regional Cinema: Independent filmmakers from non-industry backgrounds may witness increased attention and platform space for their works. A prominent Oscar nod highlights the growing cultural reach of regional storytelling. • Streaming Platforms: Viewers waiting for an immediate digital release will need to hold off as the makers focus on theatres. The director reiterated that the production is intended exclusively for a theatrical cinematic viewing. • Global Visibility: Serving as the country official submission introduces diverse regional narratives to global juries. This exposure paves the way for greater international interest in non-Hindi Indian cinema. Why this happened The public discourse emerged after filmmaker Anurag Kashyap openly questioned the judgment of India official selection committee for the Oscars. • Kashyap Criticisms: Kashyap argued in a media interaction that the country selection panels repeatedly pick inappropriate entries for global competitions. He insisted that candidates need established global festival credentials and distribution in the United States. • Dawakhar Rebuttal: Director Santosh Dawakhar noted that Kashyap had not actually watched the film to assess its merits. He pointed out that reviewing or dismissing a project without seeing it undermines fair critique. • Historical Precedents: Kashyap drew on past examples such as The Lunchbox and All We Imagine as Light to emphasize that selections have historically overlooked globally acknowledged titles. Questions & Answers 1. Which film was selected as India official entry for Oscar 2027? The Marathi film Gondhal was chosen as India official entry for Oscar 2027. 2. Who directed the movie Gondhal? The movie Gondhal is directed by Santosh Dawakhar. 3. What critique did Anurag Kashyap make regarding India Oscar entries? Anurag Kashyap stated that India frequently selects completely the wrong films for the Oscars. 4. How did Santosh Dawakhar respond to Kashyap critique? Dawakhar noted that Kashyap has not seen the film yet and urged people to watch it before judging. 5. Which previous films did Kashyap reference in his comments? He cited The Lunchbox and All We Imagine as Light as past examples where the selection went wrong. https://trendkia.com/en/entertainment/oscar-2027-ki-adhikarika-pravishti-gondhal-para-anurag-kashyap-ki-tippani-ke-bada-nirdeshaka-santosh-dawakhar-ne-diya-javaba-38071 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.