Peddi – Irumudi: ‘Peddi’ Out of the Oscar Race.. ‘Irumudi’ Also Misses Out!

The suspense over India’s official entry for the 99th Academy Awards has ended. The Film Federation of India has selected Santosh Davakhar’s Marathi film Gondhal as India’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the Oscars 2027. The film was selected from 33 submissions representing different Indian languages.

Gondhal is set in rural Maharashtra and unfolds against the backdrop of the traditional Gondhal ritual and folk-performance tradition. The story takes place over a night and centres on a newly married couple, exploring themes involving tradition, relationships, desire, deception and personal conflict. The film stars Ishita Deshmukh, Kishor Kadam and Yogesh Sohoni, among others. Director Santosh Davakhar also received the Silver Peacock for Best Director at the 2025 International Film Festival of India. The 99th Academy Awards are scheduled to take place on March 14, 2027, in Los Angeles.