Gondhal
2025 Indian Marathi-language thriller film
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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] It is reportedly the first Indian film to feature a continuous 25-minute-long take.[5][6] The music was composed by "Isaignani" Ilaiyaraaja, marking his second ever Marathi film soundtrack, 14 years after Hello Jai Hind! (2011).
| Gondhal | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Santosh Davakhar |
| Written by | Santosh Davakhar |
| Screenplay by | Santosh Davakhar |
| Story by | Santosh Davakhar |
| Produced by | 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 was nominated for the Golden Peacock Award at the 56th International Film Festival of India[7] and Santosh Davakhar won Best Director Award in Silver Peacock category.[8][9] It was also selected as the Indian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 99th Academy Awards.[10].
Plot
Cast
- Kishor Kadam as Bhivaba
- Ishita Deshmukh as Suman
- Yogesh Sohoni as Ananda "Aandya"
- Nishad Bhoir as Sarjerao
- Anuj Prabhu as Sahebrao (Murali)
- Suresh Vishwakarma as Patil, Sarjerao's father
- Maadhavi Juvekar as Ananda's mother
- Aishwarya Shinde as Ananda's sister
- Kailash Waghmare as Mhorkya
- Poonam Patil as Suman's mother
- Prashant Deshpande as Ananda'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 Ananda's brother-in-law[11]
Marketing
The teaser was released on 10 October 2025 with Kantara: Chapter 1 in selected cinemas.[12]
Release
The film was theatrically released in Maharashtra, India on 14 November 2025.[13]
Reception
Critics response
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]
Accolades
At the 56th International Film Festival of India (2025), Gondhal won the Silver Peacock for Best Director.[17] The film also received the FIPRESCI Award at the 17th Bengaluru International Film Festival (2026).[18] 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).[19] Film was nominated for Oscar in 2026.[20]
Marathi Filmfare Awards
AWARDS WON
- Nishad Bhoir - Best Actor debut
- Ishita Deshmukh - Best Actress debut
- Santosh Davakhar - Best Screenplay
- Amlendu Choudhary – Best Cinematography
- Jayesh DhakanBest - Sound Design
- Ilaiyaraaja - Best Background Score
- NOMINATED
- Anuj Prabhu - Best Supporting Actor (Male)
- Kishore Kadam - Best Supporting Actor (Male)
- Ishita Deshmukh - Best Actress (Critics)
- Santosh Davakhar - Best Director Debut
- Santosh Davakhar - Best Story
- Santosh Davakhar - Best Dialogues
- Ilaiyaraaja - Best Music Album
- Ashish Mhatre - Best Editing
Soundtrack
All music is composed by Ilaiyaraaja.
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Chandana" | Ajay Gogavale, Arya Ambekar | 5:08 |
| 2. | "Malhari" | Abhijeet Kosambi | 2:22 |
| 3. | "Naman" | Harilal Ghuge | 1:35 |