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Marathi Film 'Gondhal' Chosen as India's Entry for the 99th Academy Awards

18 September 2026National

The Film Federation of India announced on 18 September 2026 that the Marathi-language film Gondhal is India's official entry in the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards, chosen from 33 films in contention. Written and directed by Santosh Davakhar, the psychological and cultural thriller is set in rural Maharashtra and deals with ritual tradition, ambition and human vulnerability. The film had already won the Silver Peacock for Best Director at the 56th International Film Festival of India in 2025 and the FIPRESCI Award at the 17th Bengaluru International Film Festival in 2026. The Oscars ceremony is scheduled for 14 March 2027.

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The Academy Awards are presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, USA | The Film Federation of India selects India's official Oscar entry each year | IFFI, India's premier film festival, is held annually in Goa and awards the Golden and Silver Peacock

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