# Marathi Film Gondhal Chosen as India's Official Oscar 2027 Entry, Subhash Ghai Applauds Ishita Deshmukh > Santosh Davakhar's Marathi film Gondhal has been selected as India's official entry for the 99th Academy Awards (Oscars 2027). Veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai praised lead actress Ishita Deshmukh and urged audiences to watch the movie. **Type:** article · **Category:** Entertainment · **Published:** 2026-09-19 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/entertainment/marathi-philma-gondhal-skara-2027-men-bharata-ki-adhikarika-pravishti-subhash-ghai-ne-ishita-deshmukh-aura-puri-tima-ko-saraha-34208 · **Language:** English **Tags:** Gondhal, Oscars 2027, Subhash Ghai, Ishita Deshmukh, Marathi Cinema, Santosh Davakhar In a proud milestone for regional storytelling, the Marathi feature film Gondhal has been officially selected to represent India in the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards, commonly known as Oscars 2027. Following widespread acclaim at the prestigious Cannes circuit, the movie has now entered the global Oscar campaign. Celebrated filmmaker Subhash Ghai took to social media to celebrate the achievement, sharing his heartfelt congratulations with the cast and crew while hailing the moment as a remarkable triumph for Indian cinema. ## Whistling Woods Alumna Ishita Deshmukh Shines on the Global Stage The achievement carries special resonance for the film's lead star, Ishita Deshmukh. Taking to his official Instagram handle, Subhash Ghai shared the poster of Gondhal and revealed that Deshmukh honed her foundational craft at his film training institute, Whistling Woods International, prior to entering the entertainment industry. Ghai expressed immense pride in seeing an alumna of the Whistling Woods Actor Studio headline a project that has earned the honour of representing the entire country on cinema's most prestigious international platform. > ## From National Television Drama to International Spotlight Before making her mark on the big screen with this globally recognized performance, Ishita Deshmukh demonstrated her commitment across long-format storytelling. She previously headlined 208 episodes of the television drama Janki on Doordarshan, a project produced under the Mukta Arts Films banner. Her artistic dedication also earned her the Best Debut trophy at the Filmfare Awards earlier this year. That extensive experience served as the foundation for her evocative, layered portrayal in Gondhal, which has drawn widespread acclaim from critics and industry veterans alike. ## A Gritty Rural Mystery Rooted in Folk Tradition Written and directed by Santosh Davakhar, Gondhal features a versatile ensemble cast led by Ishita Deshmukh alongside Yogesh Sohoni, Kishore Kadam, Suresh Vishwakarma, and Nishad Bhoir. The narrative unfolds against the evocative backdrop of rural Maharashtra, centering entirely on an overnight staging of the customary folk ritual known as Gondhal. As the sacred performance progresses through the darkness, it gradually peels back complex layers of betrayal, marital and familial discord, and a sinister murder plot gripping the community. ## Subhash Ghai Urges Audiences Not to Miss the Cinematic Work Highlighting the creative vision behind the production, Subhash Ghai offered high praise to director-writer Santosh Davakhar and lead performer Ishita Deshmukh for their extraordinary work. He emphasized that the film's emotional intensity and atmospheric depth make it an essential watch for cinephiles across the country. Ghai extended his best wishes to the entire team for their Oscar campaign, noting that compelling regional narratives rooted in cultural authenticity continue to command respect on the global stage. ## What this means for you The selection of Gondhal as India's official Oscar submission provides a significant boost to regional Indian filmmaking and authentic cultural storytelling. - **For Indian cinema:** Authentic regional stories rooted in local traditions gain greater international legitimacy and distribution opportunities. It reassures filmmakers across languages that deep cultural authenticity resonates strongly with global juries. - **For aspiring artists:** Performers emerging from structured training institutions receive tangible validation on the world stage. Consistent television experience combined with strong craft can lead directly to top international platforms. - **For audiences:** Moviegoers gain wider exposure to intricate folk rituals and compelling mystery dramas from regional landscapes. It highlights cinematic alternatives to formulaic mainstream releases. - **For the regional industry:** Global recognition attracts increased investment and wider theatrical and streaming avenues for Marathi cinema. International festival interest in local narratives helps expand the footprint of Indian independent productions. ## Why this happened The selection of Gondhal as India's official submission stems from its distinctive folk narrative, authentic setting, and previous recognition at international film forums. - **Critical acclaim at Cannes:** The film previously earned positive notice during screenings at the Cannes festival circuit. This initial international visibility created momentum for its consideration among national selection panels. - **Unique cultural narrative:** The film centers on an overnight staging of the traditional folk ritual Gondhal in rural Maharashtra to uncover betrayal and crime. That specific regional grounding offers an original cinematic texture rarely seen in mainstream festival entries. - **Strong execution and performances:** Director Santosh Davakhar's disciplined writing alongside standout performances by Ishita Deshmukh and the cast garnered strong professional backing. Veteran director Subhash Ghai's enthusiastic public endorsement further highlights the project's quality. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. Which film is India's official entry for the 2027 Oscars? The Marathi feature film Gondhal, directed by Santosh Davakhar, has been chosen as India's official submission for the 99th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. ### 2. Who plays the lead role in the movie Gondhal? Ishita Deshmukh plays the lead role alongside co-stars Yogesh Sohoni, Kishore Kadam, Suresh Vishwakarma, and Nishad Bhoir. ### 3. What connection does Subhash Ghai have with actress Ishita Deshmukh? Subhash Ghai shared that Deshmukh is an alumna of his film training institute, Whistling Woods International, and expressed immense pride in her accomplishment. ### 4. Which television series did Ishita Deshmukh work in previously? She played the lead character in 208 episodes of the Doordarshan drama series Janki, produced by Mukta Arts Films. ### 5. What is the central plot of the film Gondhal? Set in rural Maharashtra, the film revolves around an overnight traditional Gondhal ritual that uncovers deep betrayal, fractured relationships, and a murder conspiracy. ### 6. Has the movie Gondhal received previous international recognition? Yes, before being chosen as India's official Oscar submission, the film earned acclaim at the Cannes festival circuit. ## Inspiration & Lessons Ishita Deshmukh's progression from a film academy student to the lead of an Oscar entry offers practical lessons in creative persistence and craft. - **Value of formal training:** Dedicating time to learn technical and artistic foundations at an acting institute creates a durable base for diverse performance roles. - **Discipline through long-form work:** Delivering consistent performances across 208 episodes of a daily television series builds the stamina required for demanding cinematic projects. - **Embracing indigenous stories:** Grounding one's artistic choices in authentic cultural settings and folk traditions can resonate deeply on international platforms. - **Patience and progression:** Earning industry recognition through early awards while continuing to pursue challenging roles steadily leads to milestone opportunities. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. 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