Marathi filmmaker Santosh Davakhar has broken his silence on what set his film Gondhal apart from the 33 films in contention for India's official Oscar entry — including Ranveer Singh's big-budget Hindi actioner Dhurandhar — attributing the selection to Gondhal's distinctly international cinematic approach.

What the Director Said

Speaking in an interview, Davakhar was careful not to diminish the competition. He praised Dhurandhar and other contenders, noting that films such as Main Wapas Aunga and Hug were genuinely strong entries. 'Dhurandhar 1, Dhurandhar 2, Dhurandhar: The Revenge and other films are good. Main Wapas Aunga, Hug, these are really good films, but at the international level, the approach of the film is completely different, and if you want to compete there, your film should be made with that approach,' he said.

Rather than framing the selection as one film defeating another, the director took a magnanimous position. 'So, I would like to say that Gondhal is representing all of them,' he said, suggesting a sense of collective national pride in the submission process.

Why Gondhal Stands Out

Davakhar described the film as raw and rooted in simplicity — qualities he sees as its greatest strengths. 'The movie is very raw and that is its quality. Simplicity is its quality and that is why it is feeling like the most impressive thriller film,' he said. Gondhal weaves mystery and thriller elements with the richness of Indian rituals and cultural traditions, a combination that reportedly resonated with the selection committee.

The filmmaker had previously noted that his exposure at international film festivals made him acutely aware of how Indian cinema is often pigeonholed around subjects such as poverty and casteism. This reportedly prompted him to consciously explore a different, lesser-seen facet of India through the film's narrative.

The Film and Its Cast

Gondhal features an ensemble cast comprising Kishor Kadam, Ishita Deshmukh, Yogesh Sohoni, Nishad Bhoir, Anuj Prabhu, Suresh Vishwakarma, and Vitthal Kale. The film has been officially selected as India's entry for the Academy Awards, marking a notable moment for Marathi regional cinema on the global stage.

Dhurandhar's Cultural Footprint

Davakhar also acknowledged the emotional pull of Dhurandhar for domestic audiences. 'When we were kids, we grew up watching these films. And this year, there is a film like Dhurandhar, which has made a place in people's hearts,' he said. Critics noted that Dhurandhar's strong box-office resonance was a significant factor in its being viewed as a frontrunner before the final selection was announced.

What This Means for Indian Cinema

The choice of a Marathi-language film over several high-profile Hindi productions signals that the selection committee continues to prioritise international filmmaking sensibility over domestic commercial performance. Gondhal's nomination is only the latest instance of regional language films — from Malayalam to Marathi — increasingly commanding space at the country's most prestigious international platform. Whether the film advances beyond the shortlisting stage at the Oscars will depend on how it fares with international voters in the months ahead.