Marathi cinema has a reason to celebrate on the global stage. Filmmaker Subodh Khanolkar’s Dashavatar has officially entered the Oscar contention list for the 98th Academy Awards, marking a rare and significant milestone for a regional Indian-language feature.
A Big Step Into the Oscar Race
The development was confirmed by Khanolkar himself, who shared official communication from the Academy, announcing that Dashavatar has been accepted into the main competition’s open film category. This stage is no small feat — the contention list is drawn from over 2,000 films submitted worldwide, with only about 150 to 250 titles making it this far.
Being part of this list signals that Dashavatar is now under formal evaluation by the Academy, placing it among some of the most talked-about international films of the year.
Why This Moment Matters
Zee Studios, which backed the film, called the achievement a “historic moment for Marathi cinema,” highlighting how a story rooted in regional culture has found resonance beyond borders. The film’s production banner, Ocean Film Company, echoed the sentiment, describing the Oscar journey as the result of years of belief, perseverance, and collective creative effort.
For Marathi cinema — which has often struggled for space in global awards conversations — Dashavatar’s presence at this level feels like a breakthrough rather than just recognition.
Inside Dashavatar
Written and directed by Subodh Khanolkar, Dashavatar features a powerful ensemble including Dilip Prabhavalkar, Mahesh Manjrekar, Bharat Jadhav, Siddharth Menon, Priyadarshini Indalkar, Vijay Kenkare, Ravi Kale, Abhinay Berde, Sunil Tawade, Aarti Wadagbalkar, and Lokesh Mittal.
Set in the Konkan region, the film follows Babuli Mestri, an ageing folk performer famed for portraying the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu. As his eyesight fades and his son dreams of a more urban future, Babuli finds himself torn between preserving cultural tradition and accepting inevitable change. The film released theatrically on September 12, 2025, and was praised for its emotional depth and cultural authenticity.
India at the Oscars 2026
Dashavatar’s Oscar journey comes alongside another Indian film gaining international traction. Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound, starring Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vishal Jethwa, has also been shortlisted as India’s official submission in the Best International Feature Film category.
As per Academy timelines, final nominations will be locked between January 12 and January 16, 2026, with nominations announced on January 22. The Oscars ceremony is scheduled for March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
Final Words
For Marathi cinema, Dashavatar’s entry into the Oscar contention list is more than a headline — it’s a statement. It proves that deeply local stories, when told with honesty and craft, can travel far beyond their origins and find a place on the world’s biggest cinematic stage.
