Neeraj Ghaywan’s poignant drama about migration and friendship has moved one step closer to an Academy Award, earning a spot on the shortlist for Best International Feature Film.
The Indian film Homebound, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan, has been shortlisted for the 98th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. The Academy made the announcement Tuesday (16 December), putting the film among the final 15 contenders competing for a nomination at the 2026 ceremony.
Produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and Adar Poonawalla, Homebound stars Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa in lead roles. The film tells the story of two childhood friends from a marginalized community who dream of joining the police force but have to deal with intense discrimination and the hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Homebound was picked as India’s official entry earlier this year after premiering to rave reviews in the ‘Un Certain Regard’ section at the Cannes Film Festival. Now it’s competing against 14 other films, including entries from Argentina, France, and Germany, for one of the five final nomination spots.
“We made the shortlist! Way to go team Homebound,” an excited Karan Johar posted on social media. “I am not sure I can articulate how proud, elated and over the moon I am… thank you Neeraj Ghaywan for making so many dreams of ours come true.”
Director Neeraj Ghaywan also expressed his gratitude, saying, “We’re deeply grateful for the extraordinary love and support we’ve received from around the world.”
The shortlisting is a real boost for Indian cinema on the global stage, especially after the disappointment of last year when Laapataa Ladies didn’t make the cut. Homebound joins a prestigious group of Indian films like Lagaan and Mother India that have reached this stage, though an International Feature win still hasn’t happened for the country.
The film’s story, inspired by a New York Times article, touches on universal themes of displacement and resilience, which probably resonated with Academy voters.
The final five nominations for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced on January 22, 2026. If it gets nominated, Homebound will compete at the Oscars ceremony scheduled for March 2026.
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