Gondhal
| Gondhal | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Santosh Davakhar |
| Written by | Santosh Davakhar |
| Screenplay by | Santosh Davakhar |
| Story by | Santosh Davakhar |
| Produced by | Santosh Davakhar 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 (Ritual chaos) is a 2025 Indian Marathi-language thriller film written and directed by Santosh Davakhar.[2][3] The film stars Kishor Kadam, Ishita Deshmukh, Yogesh Sohoni, Nishad Bhoir, Suresh Vishwakarma, 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
Silver Peacock for Best Director Award – 56th International Film Festival of India 2025.[11] FIPRESCI Award – 17th Bengaluru International Film Festival 2026 [12] Best Director and Cinematographer Award- Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) 2026 Best Director Award- 22nd Third Eye Asian International Film Festival 2026 [13] Reported recognition at major Indian festival circuits including Best Director honours and cinematography appreciation at regional festivals.
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.
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Chandana" | Ajay Gogavale, Arya Ambekar | 5:08 |
| 2. | "Malhari" | Abhijeet Kosambi | 2:22 |
References
- ^ Narayan, Kimaya (2025-09-28). "Marathi Movie : पद्मविभूषण इलैयाराजा यांच्या संगीताने सजलेला 'गोंधळ'; सिनेमाचं पोस्टर रिलीज". Sakal (in Marathi). Retrieved 2025-11-24.
- ^ "Gondhal". Central Board of Film Certification. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
- ^ "Gondhal | Release Date, Reviews, Cast, and Where to Watch". Times Now. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
- ^ "तब्बल २५ मिनिटांचा वनटेक सीन! 'गोंधळ' निमित्ताने भारतीय सिनेसृष्टीत पहिल्यांदाच झाला 'असा' प्रयोग". Lokmat (in Marathi). 2025-11-18. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
- ^ "५६ व्या इंटरनॅशनल फिल्म फेस्टिवल ऑफ इंडियाच्या 'या' श्रेणीमध्ये 'गोंधळ'ची अधिकृत निवड". Loksatta (in Marathi). 2025-11-08. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
- ^ "56th IFFI Concludes in Goa, Vietnamese Film Wins Golden Peacock". News On Air. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
- ^ "महाराष्ट्राच्या शिरपेचात मानाचा तुरा! ५६ वर्षांत पहिल्यांदाच मराठी दिग्दर्शकाने IFFI मध्ये पटकावला पुरस्कार". Loksatta (in Marathi). 2025-11-29. Retrieved 2025-11-29.
- ^ "'GONDHAL' (MARATHI) REVIEW | 14 November, 2025". Film Information. 2025-11-14. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
- ^ "'कांतारा'सोबत थिएटर्समध्ये प्रदर्शित झाला या मराठी सिनेमाचा टिझर; बॉक्स ऑफिसवर घालणार का 'गोंधळ'?". Maharashtra Times (in Marathi). Retrieved 2025-11-24.
- ^ "Gondhal Marathi Movie: गोंधळ सिनेमाची जोरदार चर्चा, प्रेक्षकांचा कसा मिळतोय प्रतिसाद? दिग्दर्शक म्हणाले..." NDTV Marathi. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
- ^ "महाराष्ट्राच्या शिरपेचात मानाचा तुरा! ५६ वर्षांत पहिल्यांदाच मराठी दिग्दर्शकाने IFFI मध्ये पटकावला पुरस्कार". Loksatta (in Marathi). 2025-11-29. Retrieved 2025-11-29.
- ^ "Indian competition~Award Winners" (in Marathi).
- ^ "Indian competition~Award Winners" (in Marathi).
- ^ Bhingarde, Santosh (2025-11-15). "Movie Review : गोंधळ - लोककला आणि लोकसंस्कृती यांचा उत्तम जागर". Sakal (in Marathi). Retrieved 2025-11-24.
- ^ "Gondhal Marathi Movie : प्रेम आणि सत्तेमध्ये गुरफटलेला गोंधळ". Pudhari (in Marathi). 2025-11-16. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
- ^ Kerr, Elizabeth. "'Gondhal' review: An Indian wedding party turns sour in polished Marathi-language debut". Screen. Retrieved 2025-11-29.