Gondhal, the Marathi folk thriller chosen as India’s official entry for the 99th Academy Awards, will release in theatres across India on 13 November 2026. Director-producer Santosh Davakhar is bringing the film out in six languages: Marathi, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada.
Gondhal Pan-India Release on 13 November
Gondhal first released in Maharashtra in Marathi on 14 November 2025. On 18 September 2026, the Film Federation of India selected it as India’s entry in the Best International Feature Film category at the Oscars, which brought the film national attention.
Announcing the new release, Davakhar said: “To see this deeply rooted folk-thriller resonate so profoundly that it becomes India’s official Oscar entry is an overwhelming honour. Now, bringing it to audiences across the country on November 13 in a Pan-India release feels like bringing the story back full circle.” He added that “cinema has no language barriers when the emotion is raw and honest”.
The Hindi promo has already been released by Davakhar Films:
What Is Gondhal About?
Set in rural Maharashtra, Gondhal follows Suman, a young woman trapped in an unhappy marriage. To escape, she uses her lover Sarjerao’s deep devotion to the Gondhal, a traditional all-night ritual of song and worship. As the ceremony goes on through the night, secrets, power games and betrayal surface in the village, and the sacred gathering turns into a night of crime before daybreak.
Gondhal Release Date, Cast and Crew
| Movie | Gondhal |
| Pan-India release | 13 November 2026 |
| Languages | Marathi, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada |
| Original release | 14 November 2025 (Marathi) |
| Oscars | India’s official entry, Best International Feature Film (99th Academy Awards) |
| Writer, director, producer | Santosh Davakhar |
| Banner | Davakhar Films |
| Music | Ilaiyaraaja |
| Cinematography | Amalendu Chaudhary |
Gondhal Cast
- Kishor Kadam
- Ishitaa Deshmukh
- Yogesh Sohoni
- Nishad Bhoir
- Anuj Prabhu
What’s Next
Gondhal opens in theatres nationwide on 13 November 2026. The Academy will announce its shortlist for Best International Feature Film later in the awards season; we will update this article when it does.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Gondhal releasing pan-India?
Gondhal releases in theatres across India on 13 November 2026, in Marathi, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada.
Is Gondhal India’s Oscar entry?
Yes. The Film Federation of India selected Gondhal on 18 September 2026 as India’s official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 99th Academy Awards.
Who composed the music of Gondhal?
The music of Gondhal is composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The film is written, directed and produced by Santosh Davakhar.
