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Subhash Ghai celebrates Ishita Deshmukh as Gondhal becomes Indias official Oscar entry

Filmmaker and educator Subhash Ghai has congratulated actor Ishita Deshmukh following the selection of Gondhal as Indias official entry for the Oscars. Deshmukh, who plays the lead in the Marathi film, is an alumna of the Whistling Woods Actor Studio, making the recognition a notable milestone for the institute as well as the actor. Ghai took to Instagram to share his reaction to the films selection and Ishitas association with the project. Highlighting her training at Whistling Woods International, he wrote, Oscar matters. Today Whistling Woods International is proud of our Ishita Deshmukh, an alumnus from Whistling Woods Actor Studio, for her Marathi film Gondhal, which has been selected as Indias official entry for the Oscar Awards. Gondhal, written and directed by Santosh Davakhar, was selected as Indias entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards. The films selection has brought attention to its team, including Deshmukh, who leads the cast. Ghai also extended his congratulations to Davakhar and acknowledged Deshmukhs work in the film. In his message, the filmmaker offered special congratulations to the writer-director and praised Ishita for her outstanding performance in Gondhal. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SG (@subhashghai1) For Deshmukh, the recognition comes after a career that includes work across television and cinema. Ghai also recalled her earlier association with Mukta Arts Films, where she played the lead role in Jaanaki, a Doordarshan television drama that ran for 208 episodes. The actors work has also received recognition at the Filmfare Awards, where she won the Best Debut award earlier this year. Deshmukhs association with Whistling Woods Actor Studio adds another aspect to the films Oscar journey, with Ghai using the occasion to highlight the institutes role in training emerging performers. However, the recognition for Gondhal comes from the films selection as Indias official Oscar entry, with the wider team now moving into the next stage of the Academy Awards process. Concluding his message, Ghai extended his wishes to the films team and Deshmukh, writing, We cheer and bless the team of Gondhal and Ishita. As Gondhal begins its journey towards the 99th Academy Awards, Deshmukhs performance and her journey from theatre and television to leading a film selected as Indias official entry have become part of the conversation surrounding the Marathi film. Also Read: Mrunal Thakur celebrates Marathi Film Gondhal as Indias official Oscar entry for 2027; says, What a moment of pride