The crimson dust of Maharashtra's Konkan coast has finally reached the glitz of Hollywood. In a landmark moment for Indian cinema, Subodh Khanokhar’s Dashavatar has etched its name as the first ever Marathi language film to enter the Oscars 2026 General Category Contention list. Led by a powerhouse performance from veteran Dilip Prabhavalkar, this folk-art epic has bypassed the usual constraints of the category of International Feature to compete directly in the Academy’s main arena. This isn't just a movie, but a cultural bridge taking the ancient art of storytelling from Malvan to the global stage.
Decoding contention list vs official entry
While the Oscars Contention List and Official Entry sound similar, they represent two different paths to Oscar glory. An official entry to the Oscars consists of a single film that is chosen by the Film Federation of India to represent the nation in the Best International Feature Category. In contrast, the Oscars contention list means that Dashavatar has qualified for the General Category, allowing it to compete with major awards like Best Picture, and Best Actor alongside Hollywood’s biggest releases. By meeting the strict theatrical requirements in the US, Dashavatar has bypassed the ‘one film per country’ rule, making Dashavatar the first Marathi film in Oscars, sitting directly in the Academy Screening Rule for voters to consider on its own merit.
The heart of the film, where ancient ritual meets modern struggle
At its core, Dashavatar is a poignant tribute to the dying art form of the Konkan region, Dashavatara. Dashavatara essentially refers to traditional folk theatre that dramatizes the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. This film transcends being a mere cultural documentary by weaving these ancient myths into a gritty, contemporary human drama. It explores the profound irony of a man who plays God on stage for a living but feels entirely powerless against the encroaching forces of the modern world.
The plot
The narrative of the film follows Babuli Mestri, played by Dilip Prabhavalkar, an 81-year old veteran folk artist whose life has been dedicated to the wooden stages of Malvan. As his body and his memory of the sacred verses begin to fade, Babuli finds himself in a final, desperate battle. He is not just fighting the physical decay of his art, but also the physical decay of his homeland. The tranquil beauty of the Konkan coast is under threat from illegal mining, a monster that even the legendary ten avatars find difficult to slay.
The themes
- The vanishing art- The film serves as a melancholic love letter to rural theatre, capturing the sweat, the greasepaint, and the rhythmic heartbeat of a tradition that is slowly being silenced by digital screens.
- Man vs greed- Through the lens of illegal mining, the movie tackles environmental degradation, and makes us question what happens to the spirits of the land when the land itself is torn apart for profit.
- The twilight of a hero- Dashavatar is a deeply personal study of aging. It explores the dignity of a craftsman who refuses to let his legacy be buried, even as the world around him changes beyond recognition.
A powerhouse cast and crew
Behind every historic film lies a collective of visionaries who dared to dream beyond borders. The entry of Dashavatar in Oscars 2026 is powered by an ensemble of Marathi cinema’s most respected titans and rising stars.
Dilip Prabhavalkar as Babuli Mestri
At 81, the legendary Dilip Prabhavalkar delivers what critics are calling a career defining performance. Known for his versatility, Prabhavalkar undergoes a breathtaking transformation as Babuli Mestri.
The ensemble cast
The film stars Mahesh Manjrekar, who plays Inspector Michael D’Costa, adding a layer of intense suspense and authority to the narrative. While Bharat Jadhav makes a significant special appearance, Siddharth Menon plays Babuli’s son, representing the generational friction and the struggle of modern youth in rural Konkan. Priyadarshini Indalkar further adds grace and depth to the film as Vandana.
Subodh Khanolkar as the architect of Dashavatar
Making it to Oscars contention list definitely wouldn't have been possible without Subodh Khanolkar, the man behind the lens. He spent years researching the folk traditions of Malvan, and independently navigated the Oscars 2026 submission process.
Impact of regional cinema
The entry of Dashavatar in Oscars contention list marks a tectonic shift for Indian regional cinema, signalling that the walls of language are finally crumbling on the global stage. By competing in the General Category, which traditionally has been a playground for high budget Hollywood studio productions, this film proves that Marathi storytelling possesses a universal emotional frequency that is capable of bypassing the International Feature sidebar. This historic achievement provides a strategic roadmap for other regional filmmakers, demonstrating that a story deeply rooted in its own soil can resonate with the Academy voters from Los Angeles to Tokyo.
Key dates for Oscars 2026
With the film already in the Academy Screening Room, all eyes are on the upcoming voting schedule. Mark your calendars for these critical milestones.
January 12-16, 2026- Nominations voting, when Academy members cast their final ballots.
January 22, 2026- The big reveal. The official Oscar nominations will be announced.
February 26-March 5, 2026- Final voting, where winners will be decided by the global Academy body.
March 15, 2026- The 98th Academy Awards, when the ceremony will air live from the Dolby Theatre.