A single 25-minute shot hides a night of cinematic betrayal
In short: The 2025 Marathi thriller Gondhal is making waves for a technical feat: a continuous 25-minute-long take. But beneath this immersive cinematography lies a dark tale of ritual, murder, and a calculated conspiracy set against a traditional devotional ceremony.
Directed by Santosh Davaklar, Gondhal uses the framework of a traditional Gondhal—a devotional ritual—to explore a web of violence and power. The narrative follows Bhivaba, a wealthy Gondhali, as he travels through a dark village to perform at the Patil family estate. However, the ritual serves as a backdrop for a deadly plot orchestrated by Suman, who manipulates the jealous Sarjerao into murdering her husband, Ananda, in an attempt to escape with her true love, Sahebrao.
The film's technical ambition is central to its identity. It is reported to be the first Indian film to feature a single, uninterrupted 25-minute shot. This immersive style is complemented by a score from the legendary composer Ilaiyaraaja, marking his second Marathi soundtrack, the first being 2011's Hello Jai Hind!. The film's atmosphere is further heightened by the contrast between the ritual's progression through the night and the violent climax that unfolds at dawn.
Critically, the film has achieved significant international recognition. It was selected as India's entry for Best International Feature Film at the 99th Academy Awards and won the Silver Peacock for Best Director at the 56th International Film Festival of India. While some critics, such as Elizabeth Kerr of Screen Daily, noted certain narrative loose ends, others praised it as an outstanding portrayal of folk culture. The film's complex plot concludes with a tragic cycle of death, leaving Ananda as the sole survivor of the night's bloodshed.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Gondhal
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