In a significant achievement for Indian cinema, filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan's poignant drama 'Homebound' has been shortlisted for the 98th Academy Awards. The film, produced by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions and starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, has made the cut in the prestigious Best International Feature Film category.
The Road to the Oscars: A Major Milestone
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences unveiled its shortlists across 12 categories on Tuesday. 'Homebound' is among 15 films that have advanced in the International Feature Film race for the 2026 Oscars. This selection, however, is not the final nomination list. The Academy will whittle down these 15 contenders to a final slate of five official nominees, with the final announcement scheduled for January 2026.
The film's selection marks a continuation of its celebrated festival run, having previously garnered attention at Cannes. Based on a powerful 2020 New York Times article titled 'Taking Amrit Home' by journalist Basharat Peer, 'Homebound' tells the real-life story of two migrant friends navigating the immense challenges of the COVID-19 lockdown.
Celebrations from the Film Fraternity
Producer Karan Johar expressed overwhelming joy at the news. Taking to his Instagram stories, he wrote, "We made the shortlist! Way to go team Homebound!" In a more detailed note, Johar articulated his pride, stating the team at Dharma Movies felt "privileged to have this proud and important film in our filmography." He credited director Neeraj Ghaywan for making dreams come true, from Cannes to the Oscar shortlist.
The cast and crew erupted in celebration. Lead actor Ishaan Khatter shared the official announcement on his Instagram stories, adorning it with multiple red heart emojis. Dharma Productions' official post noted the team was "deeply grateful for the extraordinary love and support" received globally.
Congratulations poured in from across the industry. Filmmaker Guneet Monga sent "Mega congratulations," while actors and personalities like Divya Dutta, Maheep Kapoor, Adil Hussain, Zoya Akhtar, Rohit Saraf, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Lisa Mishra extended their love in the comments. Journalist Basharat Peer, whose work inspired the film, celebrated on X, exclaiming, "And we made the Oscars shortlist!" Designers and actors like Manish Malhotra, Kiara Advani, and Dia Mirza also congratulated the team.
The Global Competition
'Homebound' finds itself in esteemed international company. The other films shortlisted in the category for the 98th Oscars include Argentina's Belén, Brazil's The Secret Agent, France's It Was Just an Accident, Germany's Sound of Falling, Iraq's The President's Cake, Japan's Kokuho, and South Korea's No Other Choice. The list is rounded out by entries from Jordan, Norway, Palestine, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, and Tunisia.
This shortlisting places Neeraj Ghaywan's 'Homebound' firmly on the global map, representing a new wave of Indian storytelling that resonates with universal themes of struggle and humanity. The film is currently available for streaming on Netflix India, allowing audiences to witness the cinematic piece that is now one step closer to Hollywood's biggest night.
