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“Gondhal,” the Marathi-language thriller India has put forward for the international feature Oscar at the 99th Academy Awards, has launched its global trailer as its awards push moves into a new phase.
The film is the
first feature from writer-director Santosh Davakhar. It was chosen from a field of 33 films in contention for India’s submission.
The story plays out over a single night in rural Maharashtra, during a Gondhal, a folk ritual in which devotion is expressed through song, dance and theatrical storytelling. Ishita Deshmukh plays Suman, a young wife stuck in a suffocating marriage. She tries to take back control by playing on the fixation her lover Sarjerao (Nishad Bhoir) has developed for her. As her desires run up against codes of honor and custom, the night ends in tragedy.
Kishor Kadam, Yogesh Sohoni and Anuj Prabhu also star. Amalendu Chaudhary shot the film, which opens with an unbroken take lasting 25 minutes. Legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja wrote the music and background score.
“Global perceptions of Indian cinema are often shaped by narratives of poverty and caste conflict – important realities, but not the complete expression of India,” said Davakhar. “India is also a civilization of extraordinary cultural wealth, sustained by traditions, music, and collective memory. I created this film to bring one such powerful tradition to the global screen through a culturally authentic and universal cinematic language.”
Davakhar won the Silver Peacock for best director at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI). Jury members at the festival called the film “like a Shakespearean fable set in a real world.”
Davakhar produced the film with Diksha Davakhar, his co-founder at production banner Davakhar Films. The company backs regional stories and aims for top-tier craft in camera work, sound, music and acting.
Watch the trailer here:
