Subhash Ghai Hails Alumna Ishita Deshmukh as Marathi Drama 'Gondhal' Earns India's Official Oscar Entry

Veteran Indian director Subhash Ghai is celebrating a monumental milestone for his film school after actor Ishita Deshmukh secured a front-row seat to the global awards circuit. The Marathi-language drama *Gondhal* has been officially selected as India's submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the upcoming 99th Academy Awards, putting the project's leading lady and creative team into the international spotlight. Deshmukh delivers the central performance in the acclaimed production, making the selection a major triumph for her former training institution. The actor honed her craft at the Whistling Woods Actor Studio, a specialized performance program operating under the Whistling Woods International banner, which was established by Ghai to nurture promising talent across the entertainment industry.

What is India's official entry for the Oscars?

Sharing his excitement on Instagram, Ghai reflected on the significance of the achievement for both the actor and the school. The celebrated filmmaker noted that the Academy Awards carry immense weight on the global stage, expressing deep pride that a Whistling Woods alumnus is front and center in an Oscar entry. He publicly applauded Deshmukh for her dedication and celebrated the achievement as a proud moment for the entire institute. In addition to praising Deshmukh, Ghai extended his heartfelt congratulations to writer and director Santosh Davakhar. The veteran filmmaker praised Davakhar's creative leadership in bringing *Gondhal* to life and directing a project capable of earning the national selection committee's backing for the Oscars, while acknowledging the collaborative effort behind the film's emotional intensity.

Who stars in the Marathi movie Gondhal?

The selection of *Gondhal* underscores the rising prominence of regional storytelling within Indian cinema. Marathi-language films have gained widespread acclaim for tackling grounded, compelling narratives, and securing India's official entry for the 99th Academy Awards places the movie alongside top international submissions from around the globe as the race for nominations officially gets underway. For Deshmukh, moving from student status at Whistling Woods to leading an official Oscar contender represents a dramatic career milestone. As the campaign for *Gondhal* gains momentum in the lead-up to the Academy's official shortlist announcements, support from veteran figures like Ghai highlights the growing impact of her breakout performance on the broader film landscape.