Gondhal


Gondhal is a 2025 Indian Marathi-language film thriller film written and directed by Santosh Davakhar. The film stars Kishor Kadam, Ishita Deshmukh, Yogesh Sohoni, Nishad Bhoir, Suresh Vishwakarma, 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.

Plot

Suman, the trapped wife in Maharashtra's Gondhal rituals, conspires with Gondhali Saheba to kill Anand's cousin. They carry out an escape that jeopardizes her soul amid drum-driven ritual and divine omens, blurring the distinction between salvation and damnation in a citywide verdict of fire, blood, and awe.

Cast

  • Kishor Kadam as Bhivaba
  • Ishita Deshmukh as Suman
  • Yogesh Sohoni as Anand "Aandya"
  • Nishad Bhoir as Sarjerao
  • Anuj Prabhu as Sahebrao
  • Suresh Vishwakarma as Patil, Sarjerao's father
  • Maadhavi Juvekar as Anand's mother
  • Aishwarya Shinde as Anand's sister
  • Kailash Waghmare as Mhorkya
  • Poonam Patil as Suman's mother
  • Prashant Deshpande as Anand's father
  • Sharad Jadhav as Suman's father
  • Vitthal Kale as Mohan
  • Pravin Dalimbkar as Vilas
  • Dhruv Thoke as Vishnu, Bhivaba's grandson
  • Prabhakar Mathapati as Anand's brother-in-law

Marketing

The teaser was released on 10 October 2025 with Kantara: Chapter 1 in selected cinemas.

Release

The film was released on 14 November 2025.

Reception

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, Gondhal is immersive and enlightening, but also gleefully pulpy, and a breath of fresh air for Marathi cinema."