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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]

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]

Plot

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]

Soundtrack

All music is composed by Ilaiyaraaja.

Track listing
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1.“Chandana”Ajay Gogavale, Arya Ambekar5:08
2.“Malhari”Abhijeet Kosambi2:22
3.“Naman”Harilal Ghuge1:35

References

  1. ^ Narayan, Kimaya (28 September 2025). “Marathi Movie : पद्मविभूषण इलैयाराजा यांच्या संगीताने सजलेला ‘गोंधळ’; सिनेमाचं पोस्टर रिलीज”. Sakal (in Marathi). Retrieved 24 November 2025.
  2. ^ “Gondhal”. Central Board of Film Certification. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
  3. ^ “Gondhal | Release Date, Reviews, Cast, and Where to Watch”. Times Now. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
  4. ^ “तब्बल २५ मिनिटांचा वनटेक सीन! ‘गोंधळ’ निमित्ताने भारतीय सिनेसृष्टीत पहिल्यांदाच झाला ‘असा’ प्रयोग”. Lokmat (in Marathi). 18 November 2025. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
  5. ^ “५६ व्या इंटरनॅशनल फिल्म फेस्टिवल ऑफ इंडियाच्या ‘या’ श्रेणीमध्ये ‘गोंधळ’ची अधिकृत निवड”. Loksatta (in Marathi). 8 November 2025. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
  6. ^ “56th IFFI Concludes in Goa, Vietnamese Film Wins Golden Peacock”. News On Air. Retrieved 28 November 2025.
  7. ^ “महाराष्ट्राच्या शिरपेचात मानाचा तुरा! ५६ वर्षांत पहिल्यांदाच मराठी दिग्दर्शकाने IFFI मध्ये पटकावला पुरस्कार”. Loksatta (in Marathi). 29 November 2025. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  8. ^ “‘GONDHAL’ (MARATHI) REVIEW | 14 November, 2025″. Film Information. 14 November 2025. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
  9. ^ “‘कांतारा’सोबत थिएटर्समध्ये प्रदर्शित झाला या मराठी सिनेमाचा टिझर; बॉक्स ऑफिसवर घालणार का ‘गोंधळ’?”. Maharashtra Times (in Marathi). Retrieved 24 November 2025.
  10. ^ “Gondhal Marathi Movie: गोंधळ सिनेमाची जोरदार चर्चा, प्रेक्षकांचा कसा मिळतोय प्रतिसाद? दिग्दर्शक म्हणाले…” NDTV Marathi. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
  11. ^ “महाराष्ट्राच्या शिरपेचात मानाचा तुरा! ५६ वर्षांत पहिल्यांदाच मराठी दिग्दर्शकाने IFFI मध्ये पटकावला पुरस्कार”. Loksatta (in Marathi). 29 November 2025. Retrieved 29 November 2025.
  12. ^ “BIFFes”. biffes.org. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
  13. ^ “22nd Third Eye Asian Film Festival will be held from January 9 to January 15, 2026!”. Cine Buster. 22 December 2025. Retrieved 26 March 2026.
  14. ^ Bhingarde, Santosh (15 November 2025). “Movie Review : गोंधळ – लोककला आणि लोकसंस्कृती यांचा उत्तम जागर”. Sakal (in Marathi). Retrieved 24 November 2025.
  15. ^ “Gondhal Marathi Movie : प्रेम आणि सत्तेमध्ये गुरफटलेला गोंधळ”. Pudhari (in Marathi). 16 November 2025. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
  16. ^ Kerr, Elizabeth. “‘Gondhal’ review: An Indian wedding party turns sour in polished Marathi-language debut”. Screen. Retrieved 29 November 2025.