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India's Oscar Dream: Neeraj Ghaywan's 'Homebound' Shortlisted for 98th Academy Awards

Neeraj Ghaywan's directorial 'Homebound' has taken a major step toward the Oscars. The film has been shortlisted for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards. It features Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa in a story about friendship and ambition. This follows the film's successful festival run, including a premiere at Cannes.

Key Points: Neeraj Ghaywan's Homebound Shortlisted for Oscars 2026 International Film

  • The film is among 15 movies shortlisted from 86 eligible countries for the International Feature category
  • It stars Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa as friends aspiring to join the police force
  • The film premiered at Cannes 2025 and won awards at TIFF
  • It is produced by Karan Johar with Martin Scorsese as an executive producer
2 min read

Oscars 2026: Neeraj Ghaywan's Homebound gets shortlisted for Best International Feature Film

Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa's film 'Homebound' advances to the Oscars 2026 shortlist, joining 14 other international contenders for the final nomination.

"Homebound has been shortlisted for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards. We’re deeply grateful for the extraordinary love and support we’ve received from around the world. - Dharma Productions"

Mumbai, December 17

Neeraj Ghaywan's directorial 'Homebound' has been shortlisted and advanced to the next round of voting in the International Feature Film category for the upcoming 98th Academy Awards.

Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa starrer 'Homebound' has been selected among the 15 films that have become eligible for the final nominations in the International Feature Film category at the Oscars 2026.

"Fifteen films will advance to the next round of voting in the International Feature Film category for the 98th Academy Awards. Films from 86 countries or regions were eligible in the category," read the website of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).

India's Oscar entry 'Homebound' has been shortlisted alongside Argentina's 'Belen', Brazil's 'The Secret Agent', France's 'It Was Just an Accident', Germany's 'Sound of Falling', and others.

Dharma Productions, the film's official production banner, shared the news on Instagram on Wednesday.

"Homebound has been shortlisted for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards. We're deeply grateful for the extraordinary love and support we've received from around the world," wrote Dharma Productions.

According to the AMPAS website, the movie was shortlisted after Academy members' active participation in the preliminary round of voting.

"In the nominations round, Academy members from all branches are invited to opt in to participate and must view all 15 shortlisted films to vote," read the AMPAS website.

'Homebound' follows childhood friends Shoaib (Ishaan Khatter) and Chandan (Vishal Jethwa), whose shared dream of joining the police force shapes their lives, with Janhvi Kapoor adding emotional depth to a story grounded in friendship, duty, and the pressures facing young India.

Earlier this year, 'Homebound' received major accolades across film festivals and award shows.

It had a celebrated premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes 2025, followed by an impactful screening at TIFF, where it secured the Second Runner-Up spot for the International Audience Choice Award.

India's proud contender for the Oscars 2026, 'Homebound' is produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, and Apoorva Mehta, and co-produced by Marijke deSouza and Melita Toscan Du Plantier, with Martin Scorsese and Pravin Khairnar serving as Executive Producers.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
Saw the film at TIFF. The performances by Ishaan and Vishal are incredible. It's a very authentic story about friendship and ambition in small-town India. Hope the Academy voters connect with it. Best of luck Team Homebound!
R
Rohit P
Great to see a film that's not just song and dance getting this platform. Our cinema has so many powerful stories to tell. The Scorsese connection as exec producer is also a huge deal. Big moment.
S
Sarah B
As someone who follows international cinema closely, I'm thrilled. The shortlist is always tough competition. The premise sounds compelling. Hope it makes the final five!
V
Vikram M
A respectful criticism: While this is a great achievement, I sometimes feel our Oscar submissions are chosen more for their 'festival appeal' to Western audiences rather than what truly resonates with the masses here. That said, Ghaywan is a genuine talent and I wish the team all the very best. Jai Hind!
K
Kavya N
The Cannes premiere was a big deal! So happy for the entire cast and crew. Janhvi Kapoor has really been choosing interesting roles lately. Let's bring that Oscar home! 🤞

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