Mumbai (Commonwealth Union)_ Homebound, an Indian film, has taken a huge stride forward in the world arena after being shortlisted for the 98th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. Neeraj Ghaywan directed the film, which stars Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vishal Jethwa and is produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions. The announcement has been met with pride and emotion from the film’s team, particularly Karan Johar, who shared a heartfelt message celebrating the milestone.
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Reacting to the news, Karan Johar took to social media to express his joy and gratitude. He wrote that it was difficult to fully put into words how proud and overwhelmed he felt about Homebound and its journey. Calling the film an important addition to Dharma’s body of work, Johar thanked director Neeraj Ghaywan for turning a long-cherished dream into reality. He remarked on the film’s journey from Cannes premiere to Oscar shortlist, characterizing it as both humbling and immensely fulfilling. Johar also thanked the cast, staff, and everyone else who worked on the film, encouraging the team to keep going.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recently revealed shortlists across 12 categories for the upcoming Oscars. These include areas such as cinematography, documentary, original score, sound and visual effects, along with Best International Feature Film. Homebound now finds itself among a competitive and diverse group of international titles from countries such as Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Spain, and Switzerland, among others. The official list of Oscar nominees will be announced on January 22, 2026, while the awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 15, 2026, with Conan O’Brien set to host the evening.
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For Homebound, the recognition marks another high point in an already impressive journey. The film premiered in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival in 2025, and it reportedly garnered a 12-minute standing ovation. It was eventually presented at the Toronto International Film Festival, which increased its international popularity. Although the film’s theatrical run in India was limited, its release via OTT channels resulted in a larger and more engaged audience, with viewers relating emotionally with its emotional depth.
At its core, Homebound is a social drama that follows the lives of two childhood friends, Shoaib and Chandan, played by Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa. The two young men dream of becoming police constables, hoping the job will offer stability and dignity to their families. However, their journey is marked by systemic obstacles, caste discrimination, and religious prejudice. Chandan is a Dalit, while Shoaib is Muslim, and their aspirations are tested by the harsh realities of class and power in contemporary India.
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The film also touches upon the displacement of migrant workers in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, offering a sensitive portrayal of friendship, resilience, and the struggle for identity and belonging. Janhvi Kapoor’s performance carries an essential part of the film with great emotional depth. The film Homebound, produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra, has many international partnerships and executive producers that are a testament to the strong working relationship between the two production companies. Following the release of the list of nominees for the Oscars, Dharma Movies thanked their audience for their support, saying that the film’s story has the potential to resonate with audiences all over the world.
