Context
- Recently, the Marathi film Gondhal has been selected as India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards (Oscars 2027).
About Marathi film Gondhal
- Language: Marathi
- Director: Santosh Davakhar, who won the Silver Peacock for Best Director at IFFI 2025
- Setting: Rural Maharashtra
- Theme: Traditional Gondhal ritual and its interaction with social and personal conflicts.
What is Gondhal?
- Gondhal is a traditional ritualistic folk performance of Maharashtra, associated with devotional practices.
- It involves music, dance, narration and ritual elements and is traditionally performed in honour of certain deities.
- The film derives its title and cultural setting from this traditional performance tradition.
| Important CTC from this article for UPSC: International Film Festival of India (IFFI) |
Q. Consider the following statements regarding Gondhal:
1. Gondhal is a Marathi film set against the cultural backdrop of Maharashtra.
2. It has been selected as India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the Oscars 2027.
3. The film’s director won the Silver Peacock for Best Director at IFFI 2025.
4. India has already won the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only
• Statement 1 is correct: Gondhal is a Marathi film set in rural Maharashtra.
• Statement 2 is correct: It has been selected as India’s official entry for the 2027 Oscars.
• Statement 3 is correct: Santosh Davakhar won the Silver Peacock for Best Director at IFFI 2025.
• Statement 4 is incorrect: India has not yet won the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.