Mumbai (Commonwealth Union)_ Neeraj Ghaywan’s Hindi film Homebound has been officially chosen as India’s entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2026 Academy Awards. The announcement was made by filmmaker N Chandra, who chaired the selection committee, during a press conference held in Kolkata. The film, which had its premiere in the prestigious “Un Certain Regard” section at the Cannes Film Festival and also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, was picked from a pool of 24 Indian films submitted in various regional languages. “This was not an easy decision,” Chandra said, acknowledging the emotional depth and variety among the entries. “We weren’t here to judge; we were looking for a story that could represent India on a global stage—something that had already made its mark.”
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Among the films considered were some high-profile titles, including Pushpa 2 starring Allu Arjun, Kesari Chapter 2 featuring Akshay Kumar, the Marathi-language drama Paani backed by Priyanka Chopra, Kannappa starring Vishnu Manchu, Tanvi The Great featuring Anupam Kher, The Bengal Files by Vivek Agnihotri, Sankranthiki Vasthunam starring Venkatesh Daggubati, and Phule starring Pratik Gandhi. The 24 submissions included 10 Hindi films, 6 in Marathi, 5 in Telugu, and one film each in Manipuri, Kannada, and silent cinema. The selection panel consisted of 12 members, including directors, producers, writers, editors, and journalists. Homebound was directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, known for his debut film Masaan, and was produced by Karan Johar and businessman-philanthropist Adar Poonawalla. The film stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor in the lead roles.
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Inspired by journalist Basharat Peer’s New York Times article “Taking Amrit Home,” the story follows two boyhood friends, one Muslim and one Dalit, who share a desire to become police officers. Their journey digs into the horrifying realities of caste and religious persecution in India, all set against the backdrop of the migrant crisis during the COVID-19 lockdown. Homebound is ultimately a story about friendship, integrity, and perseverance. It illustrates how society’s prejudices always try to tear the heroes down, but their bond and shared ambitions keep them going. The image delicately combines misery and hope, sending a powerful message about resilience and the human spirit.
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The film received a nine-minute standing ovation at Cannes, marking a strong international reception. At the Toronto International Film Festival, it was awarded second runner-up in the International People’s Choice Award category. Renowned filmmaker Martin Scorsese also came on board as an executive producer, further boosting the film’s global visibility. Additionally, speaking about her experience, Janhvi Kapoor said the film was never just another project for her. “It didn’t feel like a career move—it felt more meaningful than that,” she said in a recent interview. Vishal Jethwa, who stars alongside Kapoor and Khatter, shared that he initially struggled to connect with the role, despite giving it his all during auditions. “It took time, but once I understood the story, it became very personal,” he said.
Last year, India selected Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies, a socially driven comedy, as its official Oscar entry. That film was chosen from among 30 contenders. India has had a long, complicated history with the Best International Feature Film category at the Oscars. While films like Slumdog Millionaire and RRR have won Oscars in categories such as music and sound, the country has yet to secure a win in this particular segment. Only three Indian films have ever been nominated: Mother India (1957), Salaam Bombay! (1988), and Lagaan (2001). The 98th Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
