Marathi folk drama seeks glory at world's biggest film awards
Marathi cinema has reached a spectacular new milestone as the film Dashavatar officially enters the Oscar contention list. Directed by Subodh Khanolkar, this mythological folk drama is now eligible for consideration at the 98th Academy Awards. This announcement has sparked massive excitement among fans of Marathi cinema, proving once again that regional stories have the power to resonate on a global scale.
However, many movie buffs are curious about what "entering the contention list" actually means. It is important to understand that being in contention is the first major step toward a possible nomination, but it is not the same as being a final nominee. For a film like Dashavatar, this stage means the makers have met the Academy's strict eligibility rules. This includes screening the movie in specific U.S. cities like Los Angeles or New York for at least seven straight days. By fulfilling these requirements, the Ocean Film Company has ensured that Academy members can now vote for the film in general categories.
There is also some confusion between an independent submission and a country's official entry. This year, India’s official representative for the Best International Feature Film category is Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan. While Homebound was chosen by a national jury, the makers of Dashavatar took an independent path, much like the makers of RRR did a few years ago. This strategy allows a film to compete in various open categories, such as Best Picture, Best Actor, or Best Original Score, regardless of whether it was the "official" selection by the Film Federation of India.
The story of Dashavatar is deeply rooted in the soil of Maharashtra. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Konkan region, the film follows Babuli Mestry, played by the legendary Dilip Prabhavalkar. Babuli is an aging performer of the traditional Dashavatara folk theatre. As the narrative unfolds, his personal struggles and the erosion of his culture mirror the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The film beautifully weaves together themes of faith, environmental preservation, and the fight against rapid modernization. With a powerhouse cast including Mahesh Manjrekar, Bharat Jadhav, and Siddharth Menon, the movie has already been a massive commercial success, earning nearly Rs 28.47 crore.
As the awards season heats up, the next big date to watch is January 22, 2026, when the official Oscar nominations will be revealed. Until then, the Dashavatar Oscar journey will involve a heavy campaign to catch the eyes of voters. Whether it makes the final cut or not, its entry into the contention list is a victory for Indian regional film creators who dare to dream big. This journey highlights that authentic, local stories are the heartbeat of modern cinema, deserving a seat at the table with the world's best.
