Gondhal
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| Gondhal | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Santosh Davakhar |
| Written by | Santosh Davakhar |
| Screenplay by | Santosh Davakhar |
| Story by | Santosh Davakhar |
| Produced by | Santosh Davakhar Diksha Davakhar |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | Amalendu Chaudhary |
| Edited by | Ashish Mhatre |
| Music by | Ilaiyaraaja[1] |
Production company | Davakhar Films |
| Distributed by | AA Films Custard Apple Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 120 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Marathi |
Gondhal is a 2025 Indian Marathi-language thriller film written and directed by Santosh Davakhar.[2][3] The film stars Ishita Deshmukh, Yogesh Sohoni, Kishor Kadam, Suresh Vishwakarma, Nishad Bhoir, Anuj Prabhu, Vitthal Kale in main roles.[4] Gondhal was nominated for the Golden Peacock Award at the 56th International Film Festival of India[5] and Santosh Davakhar won Best Director Award in Silver Peacock category.[6][7]
Set against the vibrant yet volatile cultural backdrop of rural Maharashtra, Gondhal explores the collision between ritual tradition, personal ambition, and human vulnerability. As relationships fracture and loyalties are tested, the narrative gradually reveals buried truths and emotional tensions beneath ceremonial festivities. Blurring the boundaries between folklore symbolism and contemporary socio-political realities, the film unfolds as a psychological and cultural thriller rooted in lived experience.
Cast
- Kishor Kadam as Bhivaba
- Ishita Deshmukh as Suman
- Yogesh Sohoni as Anand "Aandya"
- Nishad Bhoir as Sarjerao
- Anuj Prabhu as Sahebrao
- Suresh Vishwakarma as Patil, Sarjerao's father
- Maadhavi Juvekar as Anand's mother
- Aishwarya Shinde as Anand's sister
- Kailash Waghmare as Mhorkya
- Poonam Patil as Suman's mother
- Prashant Deshpande as Anand's father
- Sharad Jadhav as Suman's father
- Vitthal Kale as Mohan
- Pravin Dalimbkar as Vilas
- Dhruv Thoke as Vishnu, Bhivaba's grandson
- Prabhakar Mathapati as Anand's brother-in-law[8]
Marketing
The teaser was released on 10 October 2025 with Kantara: Chapter 1 in selected cinemas.[9]
Release
The film was theatrically released in Maharashtra, India on 14 November 2025.[10]
Awards and honours
At the 56th International Film Festival of India (2025), Gondhal won the Silver Peacock for Best Director.[11] The film also received the FIPRESCI Award at the 17th Bengaluru International Film Festival (2026).[12] At the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) (2026), it won both Best Director and Best Cinematographer, and later secured the Best Director award at the 22nd Third Eye Asian International Film Festival (2026).[13]
Critics Reception
Santosh Bhingarde of Sakal awarded 4.5 stars out of 5 stars, describing it as an outstanding portrayal of our folk culture.[14] Anupama Gunde of Pudhari awarded 3 stars out of 5 stars, and wrote "The film symbolically blends darkness, the breaking dawn, and the emergence of truth into bright light."[15] Elizabrth Kerr of Screen Daily wrote "Though the narrative has its share of loose ends (one of which is disturbing for who it involves), Gondhal is immersive and enlightening, but also gleefully pulpy, and a breath of fresh air for Marathi cinema."[16]