Gondhal, a Marathi psychological thriller directed by Santosh Davakhar and chosen by India as its official submission to the 99th Academy Awards, opens special paid preview screenings in six cities beginning October 9. The early showings come ahead of a wider theatrical release the makers plan to distribute in six Indian languages. The previews will run from October 9 in Mumbai and Pune, with additional screenings scheduled over the following days in Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. The initial screenings are being held in Marathi and Hindi, and the production has said the later nationwide release will include Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada versions as well. The preview programme is intended to give cinephiles, critics and regional audiences a first look at the film ahead of the multi language expansion. Gondhal emerged on India’s awards radar after a strong run on the festival circuit. Santosh Davakhar, who directed and produced the film, won recognition for his work at prominent festivals, and the film was later selected by the national selection committee as India’s official entry for the Best International Feature category. The movie draws on the rural Maharashtrian ritual called gondhal, weaving music, myth and ceremony into a tense story about marital power dynamics and ritualised obsession. At its core the film follows Suman, a newly married woman, and the fraught relationship that forms around a local Gondhal ritual. The screenplay uses the ritual setting to escalate psychological pressure, turning a traditional performance of invocation and music into a charged battleground. Festival coverage and the film’s official synopsis describe a narrative that transforms intimate domestic conflict into a broader commentary on tradition and consent. Why the previews matter Preview screenings serve multiple purposes for a film on the Oscar campaign trail. First, they build word of mouth among critics and audiences in key markets. Second, they let the producers and distributors assess audience response ahead of amending marketing strategy for the pan Indian release. For a regional language film that will be presented in six languages, early viewer feedback can be crucial to shaping subtitling, dubbing choices and promotional emphasis across different states. Gondhal’s preview strategy also underscores a wider trend in Indian cinema, where regional films with internationally resonant stories are increasingly treated as national events. Producers have in recent years pursued simultaneous or staggered releases across language markets, rather than confining distribution to a single linguistic region. If the previews generate strong local momentum, they can enhance the film’s visibility ahead of international screenings and awards season campaigning. Where and how to watch the previews The makers have published schedules for select theatres in the initial cities, with a cluster of showings in Mumbai and Pune beginning October 9. The previews in these cities will run on multiple dates, typically in evening slots to attract both general audiences and press. Tickets for paid previews are being sold through regular cinema booking platforms and box office counters at participating venues. Practical information for viewers will vary by city and theatre. Audiences interested in attending should check local listings for exact showtimes, language format and availability. The early screenings are being presented in Marathi and Hindi; the subsequent multi language roll out will bring dubbed or officially adapted versions to a broader set of cinemas. What this means for Marathi and Indian cinema Gondhal’s selection as the country’s Oscar entry places it within a select group of regional films that Indian authorities have chosen to represent the nation on the Academy stage. For Marathi cinema, which has produced internationally regarded titles in recent years, this is another sign of the industry’s growing reach. A successful domestic campaign, amplified by positive previews, can extend a film’s commercial life and strengthen its case with international programmers and awards voters. The film’s festival pedigree and Davakhar’s recognition on the circuit offer the producers a foundation to push Gondhal as both an artistically ambitious and culturally specific story. If positive reactions at the previews translate into strong critical discussion, Gondhal could gain momentum that helps its visibility overseas, whether through festival bookings, specialty theatrical runs or awards campaigning. Cautions and open questions As with any early preview campaign, outcomes depend on audience and critical reaction in the first days. Paid previews do not guarantee box office success, and a film positioned as an awards contender must bridge the sometimes divergent tastes of festival juries, awards committees and mainstream audiences. How well Gondhal’s thematic intensity and ritual-driven narrative travel across languages and regions will be revealed as the previews proceed and the broader release date is announced. For readers If you are in one of the cities hosting previews, check local theatre listings for showtimes and language format. Expect intense, ritual-inflected storytelling and performances that lean on atmosphere and psychological tension. For those outside the preview cities, keep an eye on national listings for the forthcoming multi language release. The film’s Oscar submission status makes it a notable title on the season’s cultural calendar, and early reactions from the previews are likely to shape how it is discussed in Indian and international film circles.