December 17 proved to be a golden day for Indian cinema, as Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, got shortlisted for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards. This brings the critically acclaimed movie a step closer to an official Oscar nomination. The announcement, made by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, places Homebound among 15 films selected from submissions across 86 countries, affirming its resonance on the global awards stage.
The shortlisting is a crucial phase in the Oscar Awards, as it narrows down a wide range of contenders to a select group from which the final five official nominees will be chosen and revealed on 22nd January 2026. The official ceremony is set to take place on 15th March.
Story of India’s Official Entry to Oscar—Homebound:
Homebound, inspired by a true story that came to light after the work of journalist Basharat Peer, is a socially textured drama that chronicles the hurdles faced by two young men, Shoaib (Ishaan Khatter) and Chandan (Vishal Jethwa), as they strive to navigate the systematic challenges—unemployment, caste, and religious discrimination—in India. Executive produced with support from industry stalwart Martin Scorsese, the film earned critical praise for its layered narrative, strong performances, and empathetic direction.
The film has already garnered widespread media acclaim with its world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it was met with a prolonged standing ovation. It has since enjoyed international attention across festival circuits and at the box office.
Industry Response
After Homebound’s official shortlist, many renowned artists and producers from the film industry have responded with immense pride. Producer Karan Johar described the achievement as “over the moon,” expressing gratitude to the global audience and the film’s creative team for pushing Homebound into Oscar contention. Several industry professionals, including actors and filmmakers, have celebrated the milestone as a proud moment for Indian cinema.
What comes next?
All eyes are not set on the Academy’s official nominations, which are to be released on 22nd January 2026. If Homebound were to make the shortlist of five nominees, it would join a rare lineage of Indian films recognized by the Academy—a milestone not achieved in more than 2 decades since the release of Lagaan.
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