Gondhal is a 2025 Indian Marathi-language thriller film written and directed by Santosh Davakhar. The film stars Ishita Deshmukh, Yogesh Sohoni, Kishor Kadam, Suresh Vishwakarma, Nishad Bhoir, Anuj Prabhu, Vitthal Kale in main roles.
Gondhal was nominated for the Golden Peacock Award at the 56th International Film Festival of India and Santosh Davakhar won Best Director Award in Silver Peacock category.
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.
The teaser was released on 10 October 2025 with in selected cinemas.
The film was theatrically released in Maharashtra, India on 14 November 2025.
At the 56th International Film Festival of India (2025), Gondhal won the Silver Peacock for Best Director. The film also received the FIPRESCI Award at the 17th Bengaluru International Film Festival (2026). 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).
Santosh Bhingarde of Sakal awarded 4.5 stars out of 5 stars, describing it as an outstanding portrayal of our folk culture. 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." 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."