Neeraj Ghaywan’s long-awaited return film, Homebound, has been formally selected as India’s official entry to the 2026 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. The Film Federation of India made the announcement on Friday, a significant achievement for the film even before its theatrical release.
The movie will now fight against over 100 country entries for a nomination shortlist position. Three Indian movies, Mother India (1958), Salaam Bombay! (1988), and Lagaan (2001), have managed nominations in the category over the years but have not won the award. India last won an Oscar for RRR in 2023, where it won two open-category trophies.
Hombound’s Acclaimed Festival Journey
Homebound has already generated international buzz, having a dream festival run until 2025. It opened at the Cannes Film Festival in May to a standing ovation from critics and audience members. It just received acclaim at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival, ending as the second runner-up in the celebrated International People’s Choice Award competition.
This shining welcome has boosted hopes that Homebound might end India’s drought at the Oscars in the Best International Feature Film category and take home the golden statuette for the first time.
Story and Star Cast of Hombound
Directed by Ghaywan, who made the critically acclaimed Masaan, Homebound features Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa as two young guys living in rural areas but with dreams of getting government jobs so that they can gain respect in society. Their life is full of caste and communal prejudice, but it’s presented with sensitivity and realism. Janhvi Kapoor is their friend, and she brings emotional depth to the story.
The film is based on a real story as presented in Basharat Peer’s 2020 New York Times essay, A Friendship, a Pandemic and a Death Beside the Highway.
Big Names Behind the Project Nominated for Oscars 2026 by India
Produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and featuring legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese as an executive producer, Homebound is backed by some of the biggest names in world cinema. The film is set to hit Indian theatres on September 26, making its selection for the Oscars a timely boost to its domestic box office prospects.
