In a landmark achievement for Marathi and regional Indian cinema, Subodh Khanolkar’s feature film Dashavatar has officially entered the Oscar contention list for the 98th Academy Awards (Oscars 2026). Confirmed by Khanolkar, this selection marks one of the rare instances where a Marathi-language film reaches such a prestigious global platform.
The Academy’s contention list draws from over 2,000 films worldwide, with only 150–250 titles advancing to this crucial stage. Dashavatar’s inclusion positions it among internationally acclaimed films and signifies the start of the Academy’s formal evaluation process. Zee Studios acknowledged the milestone on social media, calling it a “historic moment for Marathi cinema,” praising the story as “born of red soil” and now recognized internationally.
Director Subodh Khanolkar shared the confirmation via Instagram, highlighting that Dashavatar has been selected in the main competition’s open film category, likely making it the first Marathi film to achieve this distinction. The production house, Ocean Film Company, described the recognition as a “landmark moment” for the film team and regional cinema, reflecting years of persistence and collective creativity.
Dashavatar, written and directed by Khanolkar, features a stellar cast including Dilip Prabhavalkar, Mahesh Manjrekar, Bharat Jadhav, Siddharth Menon, Priyadarshini Indalkar, and others. The story follows Babuli Mestri, an ageing folk performer from the Konkan region famed for depicting the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu. Facing declining eyesight while his son Madhav embraces modern urban life, Babuli navigates an emotional and cultural crossroads. The film was released theatrically on September 12, 2025, backed by Zee Studios, Ocean Film Company, and Ocean Art House Production.
Dashavatar’s success coincides with Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound, starring Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor, which has been shortlisted as India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category. Final Oscar nominations will be locked between January 12–16, 2026, with announcements on January 22, and the awards ceremony scheduled for March 15 at Dolby Theatre, Ovation Hollywood.
For Marathi cinema, Dashavatar’s Oscar contention highlights that regional stories rooted in local culture can achieve international acclaim and resonate with audiences far beyond India.
