The Marathi film Gondhal, a remarkable blend of authentic Marathi culture, rich folk traditions, and contemporary storytelling, is creating history on the international stage. Recently, Gondhal received the prestigious award from the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI), marking a proud and historic milestone for Marathi cinema.FIPRESCI, an independent and highly respected global association of leading film critics, is known for recognizing films at renowned festivals like Cannes, Venice, Berlin, and Toronto, independently of official juries.
The award highlights artistic merit, cultural and social content, courageous direction, and innovation, often regarded as the highest honor from critics worldwide. Under the leadership of Egyptian film critic Ahmed Shawky, FIPRESCI shines a spotlight on culturally profound and bold cinema, making its recognition of Gondhal a significant boost to the film’s international journey.
Directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Santosh Davkhar, Gondhal has already earned acclaim at numerous prestigious festivals. It won Best Director and Best Cinematography at the Pune International Film Festival and secured the Best Director Award at the 22nd Third Eye Asian Film Festival 2026. Additionally, at the national level, Gondhal received the coveted Silver Peacock Award for Best Director in the Indian Panorama section at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI). Such dual recognition at national and international platforms is a landmark achievement for Marathi cinema.
Set against the traditional Gondhal ritual celebrated to remove obstacles in the lives of the bride and groom the film explores superstitions, family conflicts, evolving social attitudes, and human emotions with subtlety and depth. Its unique strength lies in presenting folk tradition through a modern cinematic lens, beautifully combining sound, lighting, and visuals.Speaking about the international honor, Director Santosh Davkhar said, “Receiving recognition from a global critics’ body like FIPRESCI is truly inspiring. Gondhal is a voice for the art, faith, and folk traditions of our soil. This appreciation on the world stage acknowledges the hard work and dedication of our entire team.
”Written, directed, and scripted by Santosh Davkhar, the film is produced by Davkhar Films and co-produced by Diksha Davkhar. The cast features seasoned actors including Kishor Kadam, Ishita Deshmukh, Yogesh Sohoni, Nishad Bhoir, Anuj Prabhu, Madhavi Juvekar, and Aishwarya Shinde, who have all delivered powerful performances.With its critical acclaim, audience appreciation, and an impressive array of national and international awards, Gondhal stands tall as a proud representative of Marathi culture on the global cinematic stage.
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