Indian cinema is preparing for a special international moment as Santosh Davakhar's psychological thriller Gondhal gets ready for a worldwide theatrical re-release in seven languages. The film, which has been announced as India's official entry for the 99th Academy Awards, will return to cinemas on November 13, 2026, with a release planned in Marathi, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada and English. The makers have also unveiled the global trailer, giving audiences across different regions a fresh opportunity to discover this Marathi film. With its ambitious multilingual release and distinctive cinematic approach, Gondhal is aiming to take a regional story to a much wider audience.
The seven-language release is particularly significant for Marathi cinema, as the film has completed an advanced AI-powered dubbing and lip-sync process. According to the makers, the technology was completed in March 2026, marking an important step in making the film accessible to audiences who speak different languages. Dubbing a film is one thing, but maintaining the emotional impact of performances and matching the characters' lip movements across languages can be a major challenge. The use of advanced AI technology has helped the team prepare Gondhal for its expanded international journey. This initiative also highlights how emerging filmmaking technologies can create new opportunities for Indian regional films to reach audiences beyond their traditional markets.
One of the biggest attractions of Gondhal is its unusual storytelling approach. The psychological thriller features a remarkable 25-minute opening sequence captured in a single take, a creative decision that immediately sets it apart from conventional film presentations. A sequence of this length requires careful coordination between actors, cinematography and technical departments, making it an ambitious filmmaking achievement. The film also received appreciation from the international jury at the International Film Festival of India, which described it as "a Shakespearean fable set in a real world." Such a description hints at the film's layered storytelling, psychological depth and dramatic atmosphere, giving audiences another reason to explore its unusual cinematic world.
Music is another major highlight of the project, with legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja contributing the film's soulful musical score. His involvement adds considerable weight to the film, especially for audiences who appreciate music that enhances the emotional depth of storytelling. Ilaiyaraaja has created a remarkable legacy across Indian cinema, and his association with Gondhal brings an additional artistic dimension to the psychological thriller. Rather than relying only on dramatic visuals, the film appears to use music as an important storytelling element, helping establish its mood and emotional atmosphere. The combination of an ambitious single-take sequence and Ilaiyaraaja's music makes the project particularly interesting from a cinematic perspective.
The film features Ishita Deshmukh, Kishor Kadam, Yogesh Sohoni and Nishad Bhoir in important roles. Directed by Santosh Davakhar, Gondhal is produced by Santosh Davakhar and Diksha Davakhar under the banner of Davakhar Films. The creative team has brought together an ensemble cast and a technically ambitious production to tell a story that goes beyond conventional genre boundaries. Its psychological thriller format, theatrical presentation and multilingual release strategy reflect the makers' intention to introduce Marathi storytelling to a broader international audience. The newly released global trailer is expected to play an important role in building awareness ahead of the film's return to cinemas.
With its worldwide re-release scheduled for November 13, 2026, Gondhal is preparing for an important chapter in its journey. The film's association with India's Oscar campaign, its seven-language presentation, advanced dubbing technology and distinctive filmmaking techniques have already made it a noteworthy project for Indian cinema. While the international audience will now get an opportunity to experience the story in their preferred language, the film's Marathi roots remain at the heart of its identity. For regional cinema, projects like Gondhal demonstrate that powerful storytelling can travel across geographical and linguistic boundaries. As the global trailer reaches viewers, all eyes will be on how this ambitious psychological thriller connects with audiences when it returns to theatres worldwide.