The Film Federation of India selected a new Marathi movie named Gondhal as India’s official entry for the 99th Academy Awards (Oscars). The man behind this movie is Santosh Davakhar. He is the director, writer, and producer of Gondhal. Suddenly, everyone wanted to know more about him. His journey is very unique because he did not start his life in the film industry. He worked in many different fields before becoming a famous filmmaker.
Early Life and Academic Career
Santosh Davakhar was born and raised in India. From a young age, he had a strong interest in learning and reading. He was always curious about how society works and how people live their everyday lives. Because he loved education, he started his professional life as a college professor.
Working as a teacher helped him connect with young people. He taught students and helped them learn important lessons. During his time as a professor, he realized that stories are a great way to teach people. He saw that visual art could reach the hearts of millions. However, he did not jump into cinema right away. He spent several years building a stable career and understanding real-world problems.
Santosh Davakhar Biography
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Santosh Davakhar |
| Date of Birth / Age | January 30, 1983 (43 years old as of 2026) |
| Profession | Film Director, Producer, Screenplay/Story Writer, Project Consultant, Social Activist |
| Early Career | Started career as a professor |
| Education & Training | Completed a screenplay writing short course from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) |
| Company & Leadership | Founder & Director of Davakhar Films |
| Notable Works | • Short film Adnyat (exploring classism) • Government AD film for cashless economy • Feature film Gondhal |
Working as a Consultant and Social Activist
Apart from teaching, Santosh Davakhar worked as a professional project consultant. This job needed good planning, clear thinking, and problem-solving skills. Managing complex projects taught him discipline. These skills later helped him when managing large film sets and production teams.
At the same time, Santosh was very active in social work. He cared deeply about social justice and equality. He worked on issues related to class difference and poverty. He saw how poor people struggled every day. He also noticed how rich people lived very different lives. These real experiences gave him powerful ideas for his future scripts. He wanted to use his voice to bring positive changes to society.
Learning the Art of Filmmaking
Santosh Davakhar loved films, but he wanted to learn proper filmmaking rules. He applied for a short course in screenplay writing at the famous Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune. FTII is one of the top film institutes in India.
At FTII, he learned how to write strong scripts, build believable characters, and structure cinematic scenes. He learned that every shot should tell a deep story. He also studied world cinema. This education gave him confidence. He realized he was ready to tell his own unique stories through the medium of cinema.
Early Film Projects And Short Films
After completing his short course, Santosh Davakhar founded his own production banner called Davakhar Films. He wanted total creative freedom to make honest films. He started by making short films and government awareness videos.
One of his famous early works was an advertisement film made for the Indian government. The ad promoted a digital and cashless economy to help regular citizens.
Later, he directed a short film named Adnyat. This film focused on classism and social inequalities in modern society. Adnyat was a big success in the festival circuit. It was screened at multiple national and international film festivals. The short film won several awards and received great praise from critics. This success proved that Santosh had a real talent for storytelling.
The Creation of Gondhal
After gaining experience with short films, Santosh Davakhar decided to make a full-length feature film. He spent a lot of time writing a suspenseful thriller script set in rural Maharashtra. He named the movie Gondhal.
The word "Gondhal" refers to a traditional night-time ritual worship devoted to deities in Maharashtra. The entire film takes place over a single dramatic night during this sacred ritual. The story revolves around a young woman named Suman, who is trapped in an unhappy marriage with a wealthy man. She falls in love with a traditional folk performer and plans a risky escape. However, her plan goes wrong, leading to a sudden murder, betrayal, and struggle for survival.
Santosh directed the movie with great detail. He used authentic folk sounds, real rural locations, and deep lighting to create an intense atmosphere. The movie starred talented actors like Ishita Deshmukh, Kishor Kadam, Yogesh Sohoni, and Nishad Bhoir.
International Recognition and the Oscars
Gondhal was screened at major festivals before its wide release. At the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Santosh Davakhar won the Silver Peacock award for Best Director. Film critics praised his direction, calling the movie visually stunning and emotionally powerful.
The biggest moment of his life came on September 18, 2026. The Film Federation of India chose Gondhal out of 33 competing Indian movies as India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the Oscars. Gondhal became only the fourth Marathi movie in history to be selected for this honor, following films like Shwaas, Harishchandrachi Factory, and Court.
Santosh expressed deep gratitude to his family, team, and crew. He announced plans for a proper international promotional campaign to showcase Indian storytelling on the world stage.
Personal Life
Santosh Davakhar remains a humble person despite his growing global success. He believes cinema is not just for entertainment, but a powerful medium to reflect real human emotions and social issues.
His life shows that it is never too late to follow your passions. He transitioned from being a professor and project consultant to a globally recognized director. Through his dedication, hard work, and love for storytelling, Santosh Davakhar has put Marathi cinema on the global map.