The Hindi trailer of Gondhal, the Marathi psychological thriller selected as India's official submission for the 99th Academy Awards, has been unveiled ahead of its worldwide theatrical release. Directed by Santosh Davakhar, the film is set to reach audiences in seven languages, marking an ambitious international rollout for a story rooted in Maharashtra's cultural traditions.
Scheduled to release in cinemas on November 13, 2026, Gondhal will be available in Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and English. The film explores the unsettling intersection of personal desires, marital responsibilities and spiritual devotion, using a traditional folk ritual as the backdrop for its psychological mystery.
Gondhal Hindi Trailer Offers a Glimpse of the Psychological Thriller
The newly released trailer introduces viewers to a world where familiar relationships become increasingly complicated as mysterious events unfold. Set against the cultural landscape of rural Maharashtra, the story follows newlyweds Suman and Anandrao, whose lives take a disturbing turn when their personal desires collide with family obligations and religious devotion. The trailer hints at a tense narrative filled with uncertainty, hidden motives and psychological conflict.
What begins as a story of a young bride's longing and her husband's responsibilities gradually develops into a web of secrets in which appearances cannot always be trusted. Rather than relying solely on conventional thriller elements, the film draws much of its atmosphere from the cultural traditions surrounding the Gondhal ritual. The resulting combination of regional heritage and suspense forms the foundation of Davakhar's storytelling. The Hindi trailer also introduces the film to a wider audience ahead of its multilingual theatrical release, giving viewers outside Maharashtra an opportunity to discover the story before it reaches cinemas.
Gondhal to Release Worldwide in 7 Languages on November 13
The makers have scheduled Gondhal for a worldwide theatrical release on November 13, 2026. The film will be released in Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and English, with screenings planned across India and international markets, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, Dubai and Africa.
According to the filmmakers, this is the first time a Marathi film has been given a seven-language global theatrical rollout of this kind. The strategy aims to take a culturally specific story beyond its original linguistic audience while retaining its connection to Maharashtra's traditions.
The film had previously been scheduled for a six-language release in India, but the latest announcement includes English as the seventh language for its wider international rollout. The release is particularly significant because Gondhal has already attracted international attention through its selection as India's official submission for the 99th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category.
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What Is the Story of Gondhal About?
At the centre of Gondhal is Suman, a young woman caught in an unhappy marriage. Seeking a way out of her circumstances, she becomes involved with Sarjerao, whose intense devotion to the traditional Gondhal ritual becomes an important part of the unfolding drama. As the ritual takes place during the night, local power struggles, concealed intentions and personal betrayals begin to intersect. The situation gradually becomes more dangerous, turning a sacred cultural gathering into the setting for a psychological thriller.
The traditional Gondhal performance, associated with Maharashtra, combines devotional storytelling, music, percussion and dance. By incorporating this cultural form into the narrative, the film explores how faith and tradition can intersect with complicated human emotions. The cast includes Ishita Deshmukh, Kishor Kadam, Yogesh Sohoni, Nishad Bhoir and Anuj Prabhu. Renowned composer Ilaiyaraaja has composed the music, while Amalendu Chaudhary serves as the cinematographer.
Santosh Davakhar on Taking Maharashtra's Culture to Global Audiences
Writer-director Santosh Davakhar has described Gondhal as an opportunity to introduce international audiences to a lesser-seen dimension of Indian culture. He has emphasised that Indian cinema represents more than the subjects that frequently shape global perceptions of the country. The filmmaker's vision centres on presenting generations of cultural practices and traditions through a story that can connect with audiences across languages and borders.
The film's selection as India's official submission for the 99th Academy Awards has further raised its profile. Davakhar also received the Silver Peacock for Best Director at the 56th International Film Festival of India, adding to the recognition surrounding the project. Although the Oscar submission places the film in the international spotlight, its upcoming theatrical release will give audiences the opportunity to experience the story and its cultural setting directly.
Final Take
The Hindi trailer of Gondhal has arrived ahead of the film's worldwide theatrical release on November 13, 2026. Directed by Santosh Davakhar, the Marathi psychological thriller will be released in seven languages, including Hindi, Marathi and English. With its story rooted in Maharashtra's folk traditions and its selection as India's official submission for the 99th Academy Awards, Gondhal is preparing to bring a regional story to a wider international audience.
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