India's selection committee for the prestigious Oscar race in the Best International Feature Film category has announced Gondhal as the nation's official entry, sidelining the high-profile Ranveer Singh-starrer Dhurandhar. The decision has reignited debate about what makes a film worthy of representing India on the global cinematic stage.
The jury, headed by noted filmmaker and jury member Vivek Vaswani, carefully deliberated over several promising films before arriving at the final choice. According to Vaswani, Dhurandhar managed to secure only four votes out of the total jury panel, falling well short of the threshold needed to make it to the final shortlist. "It wasn't Oscar material," Vaswani remarked bluntly about the Ranveer Singh vehicle, sparking conversations across social media and film circles alike.
Gondhal, on the other hand, emerged as the clear frontrunner after convincing the jury with its storytelling depth and cultural authenticity. The film, directed by Santosh Sivan, explores the life and times of tribal communities and their struggle against exploitation, themes that have historically resonated with international award audiences.
The announcement comes at a time when Indian cinema is increasingly looking beyond star power and box office numbers to prioritize narrative substance and global appeal. Several industry observers noted that the jury's decision reflects a conscious effort to move away from formulaic Bollywood fare and toward content-driven storytelling that can compete on world stages.
Dhurandhar, which revolved around the world of professional gambling and featured Ranveer Singh in a lead role, had generated significant buzz during its promotional run but ultimately failed to impress the jury members who evaluated its suitability for the Oscars. The film's commercial appeal did not translate into jury approval, underscoring the gap between popular success and award-caliber filmmaking.
The decision has drawn mixed reactions online, with fans of Ranveer Singh expressing disappointment while others praised the jury for prioritizing artistic merit over star value. Filmmakers and critics have weighed in, with many supporting the notion that the Oscars demand a different kind of cinematic language—one that speaks universally while remaining rooted in local context.
India has a storied history at the Academy Awards, having won the Best International Feature Film award once before for The Guide in 1958. In recent years, the country has also been nominated for films like Gangs of Wasseypur, Article 15, andRRR, the latter going on to win Best Original Song in 2023. The competition this year is expected to be fierce, with other nations also sending strong contenders to the Oscars.
