Subodh Khanolkar’s Marathi film ‘Dasavatar’ has been included in the list of contenders for the 98th Oscar for 2026. This is a historic achievement for Marathi cinema, highlighting the growing global recognition of regional stories.
Mumbai: Marathi cinema has achieved a proud moment on the global stage as filmmaker Subodh Khanolkar’s ‘Dasavatar’ has officially been included in the Oscar contention list for the 98th Academy Awards to be held in 2026. This is a rare milestone for a Marathi language feature film and a sign of growing international recognition for regional Indian storytelling. This news was confirmed by Khanolkar himself, which caused a wave of happiness in the film industry.
Dashavatar joins global Oscar race
The Oscar nomination list is an important initial step in the Academy Awards journey. Out of over 2,000 films submitted from around the world, only 150 to 250 films make it to this stage. Making a place in these selected films of ‘Dasavatar’ places it in a special group of international contenders. This step begins the Academy’s formal evaluation process, making the film eligible for consideration in further categories.
This recognition is especially important for Marathi cinema, which has consistently delivered powerful stories but has often struggled for global recognition. It highlights how regional stories deeply rooted in culture and tradition, when told with authenticity and cinematic strength, can resonate with people even across borders.
Zee Studios calls it a historic achievement
Zee Studios, which backed the film, acknowledged the achievement on social media, calling it “a historic moment for Marathi cinema”. The studio emphasized its cultural roots and desi essence by calling ‘Dasavatar’ a story “born from red soil”. This recognition not only reflects the quality of the film, but also the growing global appetite for diverse stories from India’s regional industries.
Industry experts see this as an encouraging sign for filmmakers working in non-Hindi languages, opening doors to wider international exposure.
Strong cast and visionary direction
Written and directed by Subodh Khanolkar, ‘Dasavatar’ stars a powerful ensemble cast including Dilip Prabhavalkar, Mahesh Manjrekar, Bharat Jadhav, Siddharth Menon, Priyadarshini Indalkar, Vijay Kenkare, Ravi Kale, Abhinay Berde, Sunil Tawde, Aarti Wadgbalkar and Lokesh Mittal. The film blends strong performances with a culturally rich story, reflecting Khanolkar’s vision.