Mumbai: Santosh Davkhar’s psychological thriller Gondhal, described in the announcement as India’s official entry for the 99th Academy Awards, has unveiled its global trailer ahead of its worldwide theatrical release on November 13, 2026. The film is set to release in seven languages — Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and English — across India, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, Dubai and Africa.
The film’s multilingual release is being presented as a significant milestone for Marathi cinema, bringing a regional story to audiences across international markets.
Set against the cultural traditions of Maharashtra, Gondhal follows newlyweds Suman and Anand Rao, whose lives take an unsettling turn as personal desires, marital responsibilities and faith begin to collide. A bride’s aspirations and a husband’s obligations become intertwined with a series of mysterious events, gradually drawing the couple into a web of uncertainty where appearances can be deceptive.
The trailer offers glimpses of the film’s atmospheric visuals, cultural setting and psychological tension, hinting at hidden truths beneath the surface of the characters’ lives.
Speaking about the project, writer-director Santosh Davkhar said Indian cinema’s international image often centres on stories of poverty and caste conflict, which, while important, do not represent the country’s entire cultural identity. He described Gondhal as an effort to bring generations of cultural traditions and regional heritage to global audiences through authentic storytelling and a universal cinematic language.
Davkhar won the Silver Peacock Award for Best Director at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), where the jury reportedly described the film as a “Shakespearean saga set in the real world”.
Starring Ishita Deshmukh, Kishor Kadam, Yogesh Sohoni and Nishad Bhoir, the film has been produced by Davkhar alongside Diksha Davkhar, co-founder of Davkhar Films. Cinematography is by Amalendu Chaudhary. The film opens with a 25-minute continuous shot, an approach that forms a distinctive part of its visual storytelling.
According to the announcement, Gondhal is also being considered in additional Academy Awards categories beyond the International Feature Film category.
With its blend of Maharashtra’s cultural heritage, suspense and psychological drama, the film seeks to introduce international audiences to a regional narrative while exploring themes of faith, relationships, duty and the complexities of human behaviour.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=RtToJsBhYBatUrym&v=mOuYNSdhjHA&feature=youtu.be
