# Gondhal director asks audiences to watch film before passing verdict 2026-09-24T03:07:46+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 3 independent outlets Santosh Davakhar, director of the Marathi psychological thriller 'Gondhal', has responded to filmmaker Anurag Kashyap's criticism of the film's selection as India's official entry for the Oscars. Kashyap, in a Variety India interview, said India 'selects absolutely wrong films' for the Academy Awards, citing 'The Lunchbox' and 'All We Imagine As Light' as missed opportunities. He argued that eligibility should require a film to have screened at an international festival or secured American distribution, and that 'Gondhal' should first seek festival exposure. Davakhar, a debut filmmaker outside the film fraternity, recalled meeting Kashyap on a Bengaluru-Mumbai flight on April 26, where Kashyap said he had not heard of or seen the film. 'Since then, it has neither been publicly available nor screened in Mumbai,' Davakhar wrote on Wednesday. He urged audiences to 'watch the film before passing a verdict,' noting the film is made for the big screen and the team understands 'the responsibility of representing India.' The film is scheduled for a theatrical re-release. ## Indian Opinion Analysis In this story, the three sources converge closely. The Times of India and Hindustan Times provide near-identical, neutral reports, attributing Kashyap's critique and Davakhar's response with minimal framing. NDTV's piece is a brief summary, omitting Davakhar's flight anecdote. The central tension, Kashyap's accusation of flawed selection versus Davakhar's plea for a viewing, is presented without editorialising by all outlets. A key nuance largely absent is the structural critique of India's Oscar selection process itself, beyond Kashyap's specific complaint. The real test is whether the film's upcoming theatrical re-release shifts public and critical opinion. ## Coverage - timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) Leads with Kashyap's critique then Davakhar's response, neutral framing - hindustantimes.com (neutral report) Highlights Kashyap's 'wrong films' remark and Davakhar's rebuttal, straight reporting - ndtv.com (neutral report) Brief summary of exchange, omits Davakhar's flight story, neutral wire style Tags: Anurag Kashyap, Gondhal, IFFI, Oscars, Santosh Davakhar Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/gondhal-director-responds-to-anurag-kashyaps-oscar-selection-remarks/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/gondhal-director-responds-to-anurag-kashyaps-oscar-selection-remarks/#story-in-brief