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The selection of Marathi film Gondhal as India’s official entry for the 2027 Oscars has triggered a debate that goes beyond one movie. Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap has questioned India’s approach to Oscar selections, while Gondhal director Santosh Davakhar has urged audiences to watch the film before forming an opinion about its selection.
Kashyap Questions India’s Oscar Strategy
Kashyap said India has sometimes selected what he considers the wrong films for the Oscars and cited The Lunchbox and All We Imagine As Light while discussing missed opportunities. Importantly, he also acknowledged that he had not yet watched Gondhal when commenting on its selection. His broader criticism focused on the selection process and the need for stronger international exposure before an Oscar campaign.
Kashyap argued that Indian films should receive greater exposure through international film festivals and suggested a larger role for institutions such as the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) in helping films reach global audiences.
Gondhal Director Responds
Davakhar responded respectfully but firmly. He said he had previously introduced Gondhal to Kashyap and that the filmmaker had indicated he would watch it. Davakhar's central appeal was simple: audiences should see the film before judging whether it deserved to represent India.
That perhaps is the most useful takeaway from the controversy. An Oscar selection can be debated, but the film itself deserves to be assessed on what it actually offers. Gondhal, rooted in Maharashtra's traditional Gondhal ritual and folk culture, was selected by the Film Federation of India from 33 submissions.
The current discussion therefore presents two separate questions: whether India's Oscar selection process can be improved, and whether Gondhal can connect with international audiences. The first deserves institutional debate; the second can only be meaningfully discussed after viewers have had the opportunity to watch the film.
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