Marathi thriller Gondhal has been selected as India’s official entry for the upcoming Academy Awards, with jury member Vivek Vaswani explaining the reasoning behind the decision.

Gondhal was selected from 33 films considered by the 14-member Film Federation of India jury. Among the other titles in contention were Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar and Imtiaz Ali’s Main Vaapas Aaunga.

Vaswani said the jury had clear guidelines while evaluating the films. According to him, the selected film needed to represent Indian culture and traditions while also having the potential to connect with an international audience.

He described Gondhal as a film that met both requirements, combining an Indian identity with elements that could appeal to viewers beyond the country.

Vaswani also confirmed that Main Vaapas Aaunga was among the films considered during the selection process. However, he said the jury discussed whether its India-Pakistan storyline would resonate with American audiences.

The jury’s comments offer an insight into the factors considered while selecting India’s Oscar submission, where cultural representation and international accessibility were among the stated considerations.

Gondhal will now represent India in the international race for the 99th Academy Awards.