In a moment of immense pride for Indian cinema, director Neeraj Ghaywan's critically lauded drama 'Homebound' has been shortlisted for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards. This crucial step brings the film tantalizingly close to securing an official Oscar nomination.
The Road to Oscar Glory
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) unveiled the shortlist on its official platform, revealing that 'Homebound' is among 15 films selected from a pool of 86 eligible countries and regions. These 15 will now vie for a spot in the final five nominations. The selection was made through active preliminary voting by Academy members.
The film's production house, Dharma Productions, shared the exhilarating news on Instagram, expressing deep gratitude for the "extraordinary love and support" received globally. The final nominations will be announced on January 22, 2026, with the Oscars ceremony scheduled for March 15, 2026, hosted once again by Conan O'Brien.
Cast and Crew Celebrate the Milestone
The team behind 'Homebound' erupted in joy upon hearing the news. Producer Karan Johar took to social media, stating he was "proud, elated and over the moon" with the film's journey from Cannes to the Oscar shortlist. He credited director Neeraj Ghaywan for making "so many dreams" come true.
Actor Vishal Jethwa, who plays Chandan Kumar, gave an emotional statement, calling the moment "surreal and incredibly humbling." He extended heartfelt thanks to Karan Johar for his belief and backing, and to Ghaywan for his transformative direction that pushed him to new emotional depths. Jethwa also praised his co-star Ishaan Khatter for his passion and commitment.
Ishaan Khatter celebrated the announcement on his Instagram stories, captioning the post with a series of heart emojis, sharing the collective joy of the team.
Global Competition and Film Synopsis
'Homebound' now finds itself in prestigious international company. It will compete for a nomination against films from Argentina ('Belen'), Brazil ('The Secret Agent'), France ('It Was Just an Accident'), Germany ('Sound of Falling'), Iraq ('The President’s Cake'), Japan ('Kokuho'), and others including entries from Palestine, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tunisia, Jordan, and Norway.
The film narrates the story of childhood friends Shoaib (Ishaan Khatter) and Chandan (Vishal Jethwa), who share an aspiration to join the police force. Also starring Janhvi Kapoor, the drama is rooted in themes of friendship, ambition, and the pressures confronting youth in contemporary India.
This shortlisting marks a significant achievement for Indian cinema on the global stage, spotlighting the powerful storytelling emerging from the country's filmmakers.
