The Marathi movie Gondhal has brought a centuries-old Maharashtrian tradition into the international spotlight after being selected as India’s official entry for the 2027 Oscars. Written and directed by Santosh Davakhar, the film was chosen from 33 submissions by the Film Federation of India for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards.
Set in rural Maharashtra, the film takes place against the backdrop of a night-long Gondhal celebration. Its story explores relationships, desire, deception and fate, while the traditional ritual remains central to the film’s atmosphere and setting.
What is Gondhal?
Gondhal is a Maharashtrian ritual where songs, music, dance, and storytelling are combined. This ritual is conducted to honour the deities and has been traditionally conducted in connection with family functions, especially marriages.
The ritual is conducted by performers called Gondhalis, who use songs, rhythmic movements and traditional instruments. Historical descriptions of Gondhal also refer to drums, the tuntune, metal instruments, and a torch or lamp. The ritual may conclude with an aarti before deity.
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Why is Gondhal ritual performed?
Gondhal has traditionally been connected with family celebrations and is often performed after a major occasion. Families and members of the community come together through the night, making the ritual both a devotional ceremony and a shared social experience.
The performance also has a strong storytelling tradition. Devotional songs and performances carry mythological and cultural narratives from one generation to another.
Traditionally, the ritual is associated with invoking the Goddess and seeking protection or relief from difficulties believed to arise from negative influences or long-standing family and household concerns. Its energetic movements, loud musical sounds and devotional atmosphere are also traditionally believed to help draw positive energy and keep negative forces away.
Gondhal’s role in Santosh Davakhar’s film
Director Santosh Davakhar has spoken about growing up watching Gondhal performances and choosing the ritual as the starting point for his film. It becomes the stage on which the psychological thriller unfolds, with its elements of attraction, intrigue, and peril.
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In this case, Gondhal takes on a much greater significance beyond that of mere culture.The ritual forms an important part of the film’s setting and atmosphere, connecting its story with a living Maharashtrian tradition.
With its Oscar selection, Gondhal has placed this distinctive ritual before an international audience, highlighting a tradition where devotion, music, storytelling and community remain closely connected.