North India Statesman
Following the announcement by the Film Federation of India (FFI) selecting Santosh Davakhar’s Marathi psychological thriller Gondhal as the country’s official submission for the 99th Academy Awards, lead actor Yogesh Sohoni shared his emotional reaction to the milestone. Chosen from a pool of 33 films across multiple languages to represent India in the Best International Feature Film category at the Oscars 2027, Gondhal marks only the fourth Marathi film in cinematic history to receive the honour, following Shwaas, Harishchandrachi Factory, and Court.
A Dream Come True and an Emotional Family Moment
Expressing his joy, Sohoni described the official Oscar selection as a dream come true, recalling that the entire core cast and crew were connected over a video call when the director broke the news. The actor revealed that he initially auditioned for a different role, but after reviewing his tape, director Santosh Davakhar called him in for a narration and offered him the lead character of Anand ‘Aandya’.
The life-changing news brought an emotional moment with his family. Sohoni shared that the first person he called was his mother, noting that both were left speechless in disbelief before she expressed her pride. The actor also deeply remembered his late father, who passed away in 2024, stating that he knows his father is smiling down and rejoicing at this milestone.
Gruelling Winter Shoots in Freezing Waters
Reflecting on the rigorous filmmaking process, Sohoni highlighted the physically taxing production schedule that brought the atmospheric thriller to life. The movie was shot in a continuous 26- to 27-day schedule near Thane, primarily consisting of night shoots during the bitter cold of November and December, with temperatures plunging to eight or nine degrees Celsius.
He cited an intense, pitch-dark fight sequence filmed in freezing, muddy water alongside co-star Anuj Prabhu as the single most challenging experience on set, pushing the actors to their physical limits to maintain authenticity.
Organic Buzz and a Milestone for Marathi Cinema
While Gondhal experienced a modest opening at the theatrical box office, compelling word-of-mouth momentum propelled the folk-ritual thriller into the national spotlight, earning festival accolades and critical acclaim. Sohoni noted that this Oscar campaign will act as a game changer for the regional industry, encouraging viewers and global platforms to take regional Marathi storytelling even more seriously while representing Indian cinema on the international stage.
