‘Gondhal’ Director Santosh Davakhar Reacts After Anurag Kashyap Slams India’s Oscar Picks
Anurag Kashyap sparks fresh controversy by calling India's Oscar selections 'absolutely wrong', citing 'The Lunchbox' and 'All We Imagine As Light'. 'Gondhal' director Santosh Davakhar hits back, urging audiences to watch his Marathi psychological thriller before judgment, following its selection as India's official Oscar 2027 entry.
Bollywood maverick Anurag Kashyap has once again stirred the pot, publicly criticising India's Oscar selection process, just days after Santosh Davakhar's Marathi psychological thriller, Gondhal, was announced as the country's official entry for the 99th Academy Awards. Davakhar, in turn, has issued a heartfelt appeal, urging audiences and critics alike to watch his film before forming opinions. ‘Gondhal’ Secures Oscar 2027 Entry: All About Santosh Davakhar’s Marathi Thriller.
Anurag Kashyap's Bold Claims in Interview
In an exclusive interview with Variety India, the 54-year-old filmmaker Anurag Kashyap (born September 10, 1972) did not mince words when discussing India's consistent struggle to make a significant impact at the Oscars in the Best International Feature Film category. "Because we select absolutely wrong films," Kashyap stated candidly. He further elaborated, asserting that even when opportunities arose to select films he deemed worthy, such as The Lunchbox and All We Imagine As Light, the Film Federation of India (FFI) "messed it up," implying deliberate oversight in their selection.
Kashyap attributed these issues to a combination of "too much politics" and a "lack of awareness" within the selection process. He acknowledged the stiff competition at the upcoming Oscars, noting it would be challenging to contend with international entries. While commenting on 'Gondhal', Kashyap clarified that he had not yet seen the selected film or many of the other submissions, making it "too early for me to say anything".
He suggested that a crucial eligibility criterion should be that a film has gained exposure at international festivals outside India or secured American distribution before the year-end. "Gondhal should first try to get seen at festivals. That has to be the first step, or all the money spent on screenings or advertising is a waste," he advised.
'Gondhal' Director Santosh Davakhar Hits Back on Instagram
Reacting to Kashyap's remarks, Gondhal director Santosh Davakhar took to the comments section of a news publication's social media post to issue a direct response. Expressing deep respect for Anurag Kashyap and his filmmaking, Davakhar recalled a personal interaction. "On the Bengaluru-Mumbai flight on April 26 at 23:55, I introduced GONDHAL to him," Davakhar wrote. He stated that Kashyap had assured him he would watch it, but noted, "Since then, it has neither been publicly available nor screened in Mumbai".
Davakhar appealed to the wider audience, stating, "My humble request to all audiences, please watch the film before passing a verdict". He proudly described 'Gondhal' as a "psychological thriller blending Marathi culture with global appeal," emphasising that it was "created for the big screen – not OTT". Davakhar concluded by asserting his team's understanding of the responsibility of representing India and their commitment not to "let our country down," urging support for the film's upcoming re-release in theatres.
‘Gondhal’ Director Santosh Davakhare's Reply to Anurag Kashyap
All About ‘Gondhal’
Santosh Davakhar's directorial debut, Gondhal, is a Marathi psychological thriller that explores themes of desire, betrayal, and tradition. The film initially premiered in Indian theatres on November 14, 2025. Set against the backdrop of rural Maharashtra and its traditional Gondhal ritual, the 117-minute feature centres around Suman, a young bride in an unhappy marriage, whose involvement with a Gondhali performer leads to a dangerous plot.
Key Film Details:
- Director: Santosh Davakhar
- Producer: Diksha Davakhar, Santosh Davakhar, Jayesh Sawant, Ravindra Navle (Davakhar Films)
- Cast: Kishor Kadam, Ishita Deshmukh, Yogesh Sohoni, Nishad Bhoir, Anuj Prabhu, Poonam Patil, Pravin Dalimbkar, Suresh Vishwakarma, Madhavi Juvekar, Vitthal Kale
- Music: Ilaiyaraaja
- Cinematography: Amalendu Chaudhary
- Editor: Ashish Mhatre
- Genre: Psychological Thriller
- Runtime: 117-120 minutes
- Original Theatrical Release: November 14, 2025
- Box Office (India Net): Approx. INR 84 lakh
- OTT Platform: Not available (intended for theatrical experience)
- Awards: Santosh Davakhar won the Silver Peacock for Best Director at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
The selection of Gondhal as India's official entry for the 99th Academy Awards, announced on September 18, 2026, marks the fourth Marathi film to achieve this distinction. Previously, Marathi films Shwaas (2004), Harishchandrachi Factory (2009), and Court (2015) were selected. The film is also slated for a multilingual re-release in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu to reach a broader audience. Oscar 2027: ‘Gondhal’ Director Santosh Davakhar Reacts to His Marathi Movie Being Selected.
The ongoing exchange between two prominent voices in Indian cinema highlights the passionate and often contentious debate surrounding India's representation on the global cinematic stage. As Gondhal prepares for its international journey and a theatrical re-release, all eyes will be on how this independent Marathi film navigates the competitive Oscar landscape.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 24, 2026 10:30 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
