Marathi film Dashavatar enters Oscars contention, creates history

Marathi cinema has achieved a major milestone as filmmaker Subodh Khanolkar’s Dashavatar has officially entered the Oscars contention list ahead of the upcoming Academy Awards, the makers announced on Sunday.

The development makes Dashavatar the first-ever Marathi film to feature on the Academy Awards’ contention list, placing it among a select group of films vying for global recognition.

Zee Studios, one of the film’s producers, confirmed the achievement on social media, calling it a proud moment for regional cinema and highlighting the film’s journey from local roots to an international platform.

"First Marathi Film to Enter the Oscar Contention List. Born of red soil. Carried by tradition. Now global. Dashavatar is heading towards the Oscars!," the caption read.

Why is Dashavatar’s Oscar entry significant?

Director Subodh Khanolkar revealed that the film has been selected in the Academy’s main open film category, making it the only Marathi film among more than 150 titles shortlisted from thousands of global entries. He also noted that Dashavatar is the first Marathi film to be screened in the Academy’s official Screening Room.

Calling it a moment of deep satisfaction, Khanolkar said the recognition validates years of effort and proves that Marathi storytelling can stand shoulder to shoulder with global cinema.

What is the film about and who stars in it?

Written and directed by Khanolkar, Dashavatar stars veteran actor Dilip Prabhavalkar in the lead role, with Mahesh Manjrekar, Bharat Jadhav, Siddharth Menon and several other prominent actors in key roles.

Produced by Zee Studios along with Ocean Film Company and Ocean Art House Production, the film released theatrically on September 12, 2025.

As per international media reports, Oscar nominations will be announced in January 2026, while the awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in March 2026 in Los Angeles.