Gondhal Movie Review

Gondhal Movie Review

Movie: Gondhal
CBFC Rating: UA
Run-time: 2hrs

Cast: Kishore Kadam, Ishitaa Deshmukh, Nishad Bhoir, Yogesh Sohoni, Anuj Prabhu, Suresh Vishwakarma, Vitthal Kale, Pravin Dalimbkar, Kailash Waghmare, and Others

Music: Ilaiyaraaja
DOP: Amalendu Chaudhary
Writer Director: Santosh Davakhar

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Gondhal, India's official entry for the 99th Oscars (2027), is a Marathi psychological thriller directed by Santosh Davakhar. Released in Telugu on 13 November 2026 with music by Ilaiyaraaja, it blends Maharashtra's traditional Gondhal folk art with a gripping tale of love, jealousy, and conspiracy over one night.

Plot

Gondhal is a traditional folk art form performed through the night during weddings in rural Maharashtra to invite God and seek blessings. The story begins with the wedding of Suman (Ishita Deshmukh) and Anandrao (Yogesh Sohoni), a wealthy man from the village. As the Gondhal performance takes place at their house that night, the happiness visible outside slowly gives way to hidden darkness. Suman does not like this marriage, and her lover Sahebrao arrives in disguise. At the same time, Sarjerao (Nishad Bhoir), the village head's son who desires Suman, plots against them. Love, lust, jealousy, and murder conspiracies unfold within one night, making the story thrilling, intense, and emotionally charged.

Performances

Ishita Deshmukh delivers an outstanding and deeply moving performance as Suman. She expresses helplessness, fear, pain, and rebellion mainly through her eyes, making Suman's inner conflict believable and heartbreaking. Her restrained expressions and emotional depth carry the film, especially in the climax, where her transformation is powerful and unforgettable. She makes the audience feel Suman's suffocation, courage, and struggle with remarkable sincerity.

Yogesh Sohoni fits perfectly into the role of Anandrao, a wealthy and traditional man. He brings dignity, authority, and hidden insecurity to the character, portraying a man caught between pride, tradition, and desire. Nishad Bhoir is excellent as Sarjerao, bringing arrogance, menace, and obsession to a villainous character without overdoing it. His presence creates constant tension and fear. Experienced actor Kishore Kadam adds great weight to the narrative with his mature and commanding performance. The supporting cast, including the folk artists, performs naturally and authentically, making the wedding atmosphere, rituals, and village life feel real and immersive.

Highlights

Cultural Authenticity
Powerful Performances
Haunting Music
Stunning Cinematography

Drawbacks

Slow Beginning
Abrupt Climax

Analysis

The first half of Gondhal is a slow burn and deliberate, taking time to introduce the characters and build the atmosphere of the house, the wedding celebrations, and the traditional rituals. Beneath the festive mood, the director slowly reveals the internal conflicts, hidden desires, and tensions between the characters. The real thrill begins around the interval, and the second half becomes gripping as the Gondhal performance gains momentum. Conspiracies, fears, and secrets are revealed one by one, keeping the audience glued to their seats. The folk songs and their meaningful lyrics beautifully mirror the scheming and emotions of the characters, making the second half intense, poetic, and deeply engaging.

Gondhal is of very high standards technically. Maestro Ilaiyaraaja's background score breathes life into the film, using drums, folk tunes, and even silence brilliantly to double the suspense in every scene. The cinematography, shot naturally in torchlight and lamp light at night, transports the audience into the rural atmosphere. The remarkable 25 minute single take sequence stands as proof of the technicians hard work and the director's vision. Overall, Gondhal is a bold, artistic, and unforgettable psychological thriller that celebrates Indian culture while exploring the dark corners of the human mind. It is a must watch for lovers of meaningful and different cinema.

Bottom-line: A Gripping Psychological Thriller Rooted In Tradition