Gondhal, India’s official entry for the 2027 Academy Awards, will open to audiences through paid previews from October 10. The Marathi film has been selected to represent India in the Best International Feature Film category.

Being chosen as the country’s Oscar entry is one of the highest honours for an Indian film. The selection committee picked Gondhal over strong competition, signalling its confidence in the film’s story and craft.

Paid previews are a growing trend, letting makers test audience response before a full release. For an Oscar hopeful, early reactions can build the buzz needed for a long awards campaign.

The road to the Oscars is long, with the shortlist announced months before the ceremony. But for the team behind Gondhal, the journey has already made history for Marathi cinema. India has been sending entries to the Academy Awards for decades, with Lagaan’s 2001 nomination remaining the country’s closest brush with the prize.