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India’s official entry for the Oscars 2026 has finally been announced, ending weeks of speculation about which Indian film would represent the country on cinema’s most prestigious global stage. In a landmark decision, the Film Federation of India (FFI) has chosen Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound, starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, as India’s submission in the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards. The film is scheduled to release theatrically in India on September 26, 2025.
This selection marks a historic moment for Indian cinema as the country continues its pursuit of the elusive Oscar win in this category.
India’s History with the Oscars
So far, only three Indian films have made it as nominees in the Best International Feature Film category:
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Mother India (1958)
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Salaam Bombay! (1989)
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Lagaan (2002)
Despite these nominations, none of the films went on to win. India’s victories at the Oscars have instead come in open categories—with Bhanu Athaiya winning for Gandhi in 1983, and more recently, the global triumph of RRR in 2023, which bagged two Oscars, including the award for Best Original Song (Naatu Naatu).
By choosing Homebound, India is once again placing its hopes on a film that has already earned widespread acclaim across international film festivals.
International Recognition of Homebound
Even before its official release in India, Homebound has made significant waves internationally. The film had its world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section, where it received a standing ovation. It later travelled to the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where it emerged as the second runner-up in the prestigious International People’s Choice Award category. This early recognition cemented Homebound’s reputation as a deeply moving and globally relevant story.
OMG!! This is real! Homebound is India’s official entry to compete for the Best International Feature at th 98th Academy awards!! pic.twitter.com/aemprNafok— Neeraj Ghaywan (@ghaywan) September 19, 2025
What Homebound is About
Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, Homebound tells the story of two young men from rural India, Chandan (Vishal Jethwa) and Shoaib (Ishaan Khatter), who dream of securing government jobs—specifically in the police force—as a means of gaining social standing and improving their lives.
The narrative lays bare the realities of caste and communal discrimination in India. It shows how the two friends struggle against systemic inequalities while holding on to hope for a better future.
Janhvi Kapoor plays a pivotal role as their friend, and the film also features Shalini Vatsa and Shreedhar Dubey in significant roles.
The story is inspired by a real-life account first published in 2020. Acclaimed journalist Basharat Peer’s New York Times essay titled A Friendship, a Pandemic and a Death Beside the Highway provided the basis for the film.
Creative Powerhouses Behind Homebound
Homebound marks Neeraj Ghaywan’s return to feature filmmaking after nearly a decade since his critically acclaimed debut Masaan. The project is backed by some of the biggest names in cinema: Produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, Executive produced by legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese. This collaboration between Indian and international film powerhouses adds further weight to India’s Oscar bid.
Official Announcement and Jury’s Decision
The announcement of India’s official Oscar entry was made at a press conference in Kolkata, where a 12-member selection committee led by chairperson N. Chandra revealed their decision.
The chairperson emphasized that the decision was not easy, as the jury wanted to choose a film that truly touched people’s lives. Ultimately, Homebound was unanimously selected to represent India.
In total, the FFI jury had shortlisted 24 movies across different Indian languages, including titles such as Pushpa 2, Kesari Chapter 2, Superboys of Malegaon, The Bengal Files, and Meta The Dazzling Girl.
The final selection of Homebound was praised by FFI president Firdausul Hasan, who stated:
“I thank the esteemed jury for their dedicated efforts in this selection process and congratulate the entire team of the selected film.”
Team Reactions
The announcement was met with overwhelming joy from the cast and crew of Homebound.
Director Neeraj Ghaywan posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“OMG!! This is real! Homebound is India’s official entry to compete for the Best International Feature at the 98th Academy Awards!!”
Neeraj Ghaywan reiterated his pride and gratitude:
“I’m deeply honoured that Homebound has been chosen as India’s official entry to the Oscars. Rooted in the love for our land and our people, it carries the essence of the home we all share. To take our stories to the world and represent India at one of the biggest global stages for cinema is both humbling and a matter of pride, and for this I’m deeply grateful.”
Ghaywan emphasised the humanist core of the film:
“People are all victims of circumstances. It’s not about ideology or community. It’s actually people failing people. What if we practise a bit of humanity and empathy and listen to the other side?”
Karan Johar, producer and head of Dharma Productions, expressed his gratitude on Instagram:
“One of the ‘pinch me’ moments that I will NEVER forget!!!! Extremely honoured, humbled and ecstatic that our film #Homebound is selected as India’s official entry for Best International Feature at the 98th Academy Awards! Our deepest gratitude to the @filmfederationofindia to believe in the story, in us and what we can bring to the world stage for Indian cinema. Heartiest congratulations to the entire team.”
In an official statement, Johar also said:
“We are deeply honoured and humbled that Homebound has been selected as India’s official entry to the Academy Awards. Neeraj Ghaywan’s labour of love is sure to find a home in a million hearts across the world.”
The film’s cast members, Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, also shared their excitement on social media, celebrating the milestone.
This perspective, rooted in compassion and empathy, reflects why the film resonates universally.
Oscars 2026: What Lies Ahead
The 98th Academy Awards will be held in Los Angeles on March 15, 2026. Only five films from around the world will be nominated in the Best International Feature Film category. With its universal themes and critical acclaim, Homebound stands as one of India’s strongest contenders in recent years.
In recent years, India’s Oscar entries have included films such as Laapataa Ladies (2024), Village Rockstars (2018), Jallikattu (2020), and Koozhangal (2021). While these films earned global recognition, they could not secure nominations.
With the backing of Neeraj Ghaywan, Karan Johar, and Martin Scorsese, and bolstered by glowing international reviews, Homebound brings fresh hope for India’s long-cherished Oscar dream.
A Step Forward for Indian Cinema
The selection of Homebound as India’s official entry for the Oscars 2026 is more than just a milestone for its cast and crew—it is a moment of national pride. By telling a story rooted in India’s social realities yet universal in its emotional appeal, Neeraj Ghaywan has once again positioned Indian cinema at the heart of global storytelling.
As the countdown to the Academy Awards begins, Homebound carries with it the dreams of millions of Indians hoping to finally see their country win the coveted Oscar for Best International Feature Film.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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