Veteran actor and director Anupam Kher has expressed his strong support and hopeful wishes for the film 'Homebound', which has been shortlisted for potential nomination at the upcoming 98th Academy Awards. The film, India's official entry, is now eligible in the prestigious Best International Feature Film category for the Oscars 2026.
Kher's Hopeful Message for 'Homebound'
While speaking to the press in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, on December 18, 2025, Anupam Kher shared his excitement about the film's achievement. He specifically referred to director Neeraj Ghaywan's project, stating his desire to see it progress further in the competitive race. "I hope it reaches the final stage as well," Kher told ANI, highlighting his optimism for the film's Oscar journey.
This shortlisting is a significant milestone. 'Homebound' is among a select group of only 15 films chosen from a pool of over 86 international submissions worldwide. The film is backed by the prominent production house Dharma Productions.
A Shoutout to Ranveer Singh's Blockbuster
During the same interaction, Anupam Kher did not miss the opportunity to praise another major cinematic release. He enthusiastically endorsed Ranveer Singh's recent film, 'Dhurandhar', which has been receiving an overwhelming response from audiences in theatres.
Kher declared the film, directed by Aditya Dhar and starring Ranveer Singh alongside Akshaye Khanna, as his personal top pick. "'Dhurandhar' is my favourite film of the year. I would like more and more people to go and watch it in large numbers," the actor said, giving a significant boost to the film's word-of-mouth publicity.
'Homebound's' Journey and Historic Context
Director Neeraj Ghaywan, a National Award winner, released a statement expressing profound gratitude for the recognition. He described 'Homebound' as a story born from authenticity and a desire to highlight unseen narratives.
"'Homebound' was born from a place of quiet truth and an urge to tell stories of those who are unseen. It's a story about empathy and finding one's way back, sometimes to a place, sometimes to yourself. I'm incredibly grateful to the team, to our producers for believing in this story, and to the Academy for appreciating it," Ghaywan said.
The film features Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa as childhood friends Shoaib and Chandan, whose lives revolve around their shared ambition to join the police force. Janhvi Kapoor plays a pivotal role, adding emotional depth to this tale of friendship, duty, and the challenges faced by youth in contemporary India.
This achievement marks a historic moment for Indian cinema. With this shortlist placement, India secures its fifth major recognition in the Best International Feature Film category in the Academy Awards' 98-year history. It joins the legendary ranks of films like 'Mother India' (1957), 'Salaam Bombay!' (1988), and 'Lagaan' (2001), all of which secured nominations under the earlier selection format.
The film's progression from being announced as India's official entry to making the Academy's prestigious shortlist reaffirms its growing international acclaim and sets the stage for a potential historic nomination announcement in the future.
