On Friday, 19 September 2026, the Film Federation of India (FFI) announced the country’s official entry for the 99th Academy Awards. While fans expected the high octane actioner Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh and directed by Aditya Dhar, to lead the charge, the jury went in a different direction. The Marathi film Gondhal was selected as the official contender for the Best International Feature Film category for the 2027 Oscars.
This decision sparked immediate debate across social media. Dhurandhar was the highest-grossing film of 2025, and its sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, has dominated the 2026 box office. However, the 14 member jury made it clear that commercial success does not equate to Oscar suitability. This article explores the specific logic used by the panel to reject the blockbuster in favor of a folk ritual thriller.
Jury Voting Breakdown: The 4-Vote Reality
The selection process was not a close race for Ranveer Singh’s film. Jury member Vivek Vaswani revealed that out of the 14 individuals on the selection panel, Dhurandhar received only four votes.
In contrast, the final selection process saw a much stronger lean toward niche, culturally grounded storytelling. The 33 submitted films were whittled down to a final three: Gondhal, the Naga film Angh, and Imtiaz Ali’s Main Vaapas Aaunga. During the final tally, Angh secured 11 votes, but Gondhal achieved a rare feat: a unanimous 14-vote consensus to represent India.
The Final Standing at the FFI Jury
| Film Title | Director | Total Jury Votes | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gondhal | Santosh Davakhar | 14 | Selected Entry |
| Angh | (Nagami Film) | 11 | Final Three |
| Main Vaapas Aaunga | Imtiaz Ali | – | Final Three |
| Dhurandhar | Aditya Dhar | 4 | Eliminated |
Defining Oscar Material: Why Dhurandhar Failed
Vivek Vaswani, a veteran producer and jury member, was blunt in his assessment of why the Aditya Dhar directorial failed to make the cut. According to Vaswani, the jury was looking for a film that showcased Indian culture and tradition with a global appeal.
While Dhurandhar was praised for its technical polish and Ranveer Singh’s performance, the jury felt it lacked the unique cultural resonance required for the International Feature Film category. Vaswani noted that while a few members liked the film, the collective opinion was that it simply was not Oscar material. The panel sought a narrative that felt distinctly Indian rather than a project that mimicked global action tropes.
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The Rise of Gondhal: What the Jury Preferred
So, what did Gondhal have that Dhurandhar lacked? Directed by Santosh Davakhar, Gondhal is a psychological thriller set entirely during a single night in a remote Maharashtra village. The plot centers on a traditional Gondhal ceremony, a religious folk ritual involving dance and music performed to bless newlyweds.
The Winning Elements of Gondhal
- Cultural Specificity: The film uses a real world ritual as the backdrop for a murder mystery, making it feel authentic to its roots.
- Technical Pedigree: The music was composed by the legendary Ilaiyaraaja, a factor that Vaswani said sealed the deal for the jury.
- Critical Acclaim: Director Santosh Davakhar previously won the Silver Peacock at IFFI 2025, giving the film significant prestige.
- Unique Genre Fusion: The jury appreciated how the suspense narrative was layered within continuous traditional singing and dancing.
Why Other Contenders Like Main Vaapas Aaunga Lost
The rejection of Imtiaz Ali’s Main Vaapas Aaunga was also a point of discussion. The film, which explores the trauma of the Partition, was considered very sensitive and high quality. However, the jury worried about how American audiences would perceive an India-Pakistan storyline.
Vaswani compared the situation to a country sending a film about a politically sensitive conflict that might alienate international voters. Even though the film was not anti-Pakistan or anti-India, the jury felt that the subject matter might not resonate as well as the folk artistry of Gondhal.
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The RRR Route: Can Dhurandhar Still Win?
Fans of Ranveer Singh should not lose all hope. Being snubbed as India’s official entry for the International Feature Film category does not disqualify Dhurandhar from the 99th Academy Awards entirely.
Following the RRR strategy, the producers can still submit the film for consideration in general categories such as Best Actor, Best Director, or Best Original Score. Since Dhurandhar has seen massive commercial success, a well funded independent campaign could theoretically lead to a nomination in technical categories or performance categories, provided the film meets the Academy’s standard theatrical release requirements in the United States.
Official Verdict and Key Takeaways
The FFI selection for 2027 reinforces a growing trend in Indian Oscar submissions: a preference for films that prioritize regional folk identity over Bollywood grandeur. With Gondhal, India is betting on a story that is local in its setting but universal in its themes of intrigue and suspense.
For Dhurandhar, the journey as a box office king continues, but its path to the Dolby Theatre now requires a much harder, independent climb. As of 19 September 2026, the focus shifts to whether Gondhal can break the drought and bring home India’s first win in the International Feature Film category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1.Who was on the jury for India’s 2027 Oscar entry?
The 14 member jury included Vivek Vaswani, P Sheshadri, Vijay Patkar, Hitu Kanodia, Tanishtha Chatterjee, and several other industry veterans appointed by the Film Federation of India.
2.Why was Gondhal chosen over Dhurandhar?
Gondhal was selected because it uniquely fused Indian folk culture with a thriller narrative, featured music by Ilaiyaraaja, and received a unanimous vote, whereas Dhurandhar only received 4 votes.
3.Can Dhurandhar still be nominated for an Oscar?
Yes, it can pursue an independent campaign for categories like Best Actor or Best Visual Effects if it meets the Academy’s general eligibility rules, similar to how RRR won for Best Original Song.
4.What is the plot of the film Gondhal?
Directed by Santosh Davakhar, it is a psychological thriller set during a traditional Maharashtrian Gondhal ritual, where a sacred ceremony turns into a crime and suspense drama.
5.How many films were submitted to the FFI for the 2027 Oscars?
A total of 33 films across various Indian languages were submitted for consideration this year.
