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Marathi cinema has reached a defining global milestone. Dashavatar, the critically acclaimed Marathi feature written and directed by Subodh Khanolkar, has officially entered the Oscar contention list for the 98th Academy Awards (Oscars 2026)—becoming the first-ever Marathi film to achieve this distinction. The announcement has been hailed as a historic breakthrough not just for the film’s makers, but for regional Indian cinema as a whole.
The news was confirmed on Sunday through official statements from Zee Studios, the film’s production banner Ocean Film Company, and director Subodh Khanolkar himself. With its inclusion in the Academy’s general eligibility pool, Dashavatar has joined the global race for cinema’s most prestigious honour, placing Marathi storytelling on an unprecedented international platform.
A Historic Announcement That Resonated Globally
Zee Studios broke the news with a celebratory social media post that captured the spirit of the achievement. “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, instantly drawing attention from film enthusiasts and industry insiders alike.
Soon after, Ocean Film Company, marking a major milestone with its debut feature, issued a heartfelt statement. The producers described the moment as a collective victory, stating that Dashavatar’s entry into the Oscars race was a testament to “passion, belief, and relentless effort,” and expressed pride in seeing Marathi cinema shine on a global stage.
Director Subodh Khanolkar personally confirmed the news on Instagram by sharing a screenshot of the official email received from the Academy. In his post, he noted that Dashavatar had been selected in the main open film category, also known as the general Oscar competition. He further highlighted the scale of the achievement, revealing that the film is the only Marathi title among approximately 150 films selected from thousands of submissions worldwide, and notably, the first Marathi film to be showcased in the Academy Screening Room—the official viewing platform used by Academy members.
For Khanolkar, the recognition was deeply personal. He described his satisfaction not merely as pride in selection, but as validation that a Marathi film rooted in local culture could stand shoulder to shoulder with global cinema.
Understanding the Oscar Contention List
The Oscar contention list represents the first formal stage of the Academy Awards evaluation process. Each year, more than 2,000 films from across the world are submitted for consideration. From this vast pool, only 150 to 250 films make it through to the contention stage across various categories.
Unlike a country’s official Oscar entry, which competes specifically in the Best International Feature Film category, films like Dashavatar enter the race independently by fulfilling the Academy’s general eligibility criteria. This includes a commercial theatrical release in designated U.S. metropolitan areas, a minimum seven-day qualifying run, and a runtime exceeding 40 minutes.
Once included, filmmakers are granted a months-long window to campaign under the Academy’s “For Your Consideration” (FYC) guidelines—a carefully regulated promotional process aimed at increasing visibility among voters. A notable example of this strategy was seen with SS Rajamouli’s RRR, which, despite not being India’s official entry, secured a nomination and ultimately won Best Original Song for Naatu Naatu.
In Dashavatar’s case, the film’s producers independently assessed its eligibility and chose to submit it for general categories—an ambitious move that has now placed the Marathi film in direct competition with internationally backed prestige cinema.
Dashavatar vs Homebound: Clarifying the Difference
While Dashavatar has entered the Oscar contention list, India’s official entry for the 98th Academy Awards remains Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and starring Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vishal Jethwa. Homebound has been shortlisted in its category and is currently the only Indian film, alongside Dashavatar, in the broader Oscars race this year.
The distinction is important. Official country entries typically progress through shortlists created via preliminary voting rounds, whereas films in the general contention pool rely more heavily on eligibility, screenings, and FYC campaigns. As of now, Dashavatar is one of only two Indian films included in the contention list and the sole Marathi representative.
A Film Rooted in Tradition, Conflict, and Cultural Memory
Released theatrically on September 12, 2025, Dashavatar is a mythological folk drama deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of Maharashtra’s Konkan region. At its heart is Babuli Mestri, portrayed with remarkable depth by veteran actor Dilip Prabhavalkar.
Babuli is an ageing Dashavatāra performer—an artist who has devoted his life to enacting the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu through traditional folk theatre. As his eyesight deteriorates and age begins to weigh heavily, Babuli faces mounting pressure to retire. His son Madhav, played by Siddharth Menon, urges him to step away from the stage and focus on his health, aspiring instead for a more modern, stable life.
Yet Babuli’s bond with his art is unyielding. He agrees to give up performing only after Madhav secures employment. When that moment finally arrives, Babuli commits to one final performance during the Mahashivratri festival—a night that becomes transformative for both the family and the community.
The narrative takes a dramatic turn when Babuli appears to embody the fierce Rudra avatar mid-performance, blurring the boundaries between theatre, mythology, and lived reality. The story unfolds as a symbolic confrontation involving faith, sacrifice, revenge, and environmental resistance, mirroring a larger conflict surrounding illegal mining and cultural erosion in the region.
Narrative Structure and Thematic Depth
Structurally, Dashavatar mirrors the format of a traditional Dashavatāra performance. It opens with a purva-ranga, establishing familial bonds, artistic legacy, and cultural context, before transitioning into an uttar-ranga, where mythological symbolism collides with contemporary social conflict.
Through this layered storytelling, the film explores themes of heritage preservation, environmental responsibility, generational tension, and spiritual identity, positioning folk tradition not as relics of the past, but as living instruments of resistance and expression.
Cast, Crew, and Production
Alongside Dilip Prabhavalkar, the film boasts a strong ensemble cast including Mahesh Manjrekar, Bharat Jadhav, Siddharth Menon, Priyadarshini Indalkar, Vijay Kenkare, Ravi Kale, Abhinay Berde, Sunil Tawade, Aarti Wadagbalkar, and Lokesh Mittal.
Dashavatar is produced by Sujay Hande, Onkar Kate, Subodh Khanolkar, Ashok Hande, Aditya Joshi, Nitin Sahasrabudhe, Mrunal Sahasrabudhe, Sanjay Dubey, and Vinayak Joshi, under the banners of Zee Studios, Ocean Film Company, and Ocean Art House Production. Music for the film is composed by V Prafullachandra.
Box Office Success and Wider Reach
Reportedly made on a modest budget of ₹5 crore, Dashavatar emerged as a major commercial success, grossing approximately ₹28.47 crore worldwide. It became one of the highest-grossing Marathi films of 2025 and of the post-COVID era, earning praise for its storytelling, performances, and stunning visuals that showcased Konkan culture.
The film further expanded its footprint by becoming the first Marathi film to be dubbed into Malayalam, releasing in Kerala theatres on December 12, 2025. It is currently available for streaming on Zee5 as part of OTTplay Premium, where it continues to attract new audiences.
What Lies Ahead
According to industry reports and The Hollywood Reporter, voting for Oscar nominations across all categories will take place between January 12 and January 16, 2026, with the official nominations set to be announced on January 22, 2026. The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will be held on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood, where winners across 25 categories will be honoured.
While the final outcome remains uncertain, Dashavatar’s journey so far has already rewritten history. Its inclusion in the Oscar contention list signals a powerful shift—one where regional Indian cinema, rooted in local soil and tradition, confidently claims space on the world’s most prestigious cinematic stage.
For Marathi cinema, Dashavatar is more than a film. It is a statement.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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