India’s Oscar Entry ‘Gondhal’ Drops Global Trailer as 99th Academy Awards Race Heats Up

The Marathi-language thriller “Gondhal,” India’s official submission for the international feature category at the 99th Academy Awards, has released its global trailer, signaling an intensified awards campaign. Directed by first-time filmmaker Santosh Davakhar, the film was selected from a competitive field of 33 Indian entries. The trailer launch aims to build international visibility ahead of the Oscars, where “Gondhal” will vie for a nomination among dozens of global contenders. As India’s sole representative, the film carries the weight of a nation’s cinematic hopes, and its success could spotlight Marathi cinema on the world stage. With the shortlist announcement approaching, the campaign’s momentum is critical. The coming weeks will reveal whether “Gondhal” can break through.