Mumbai (Maharashtra), 17 December

Filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan’s directorial 'Homebound' has been shortlisted and advanced to the next round of voting in the Best International Feature Film category for the 98th Academy Awards, marking a significant milestone for Indian cinema at the global stage.

The Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa-starrer is among the 15 films selected worldwide that remain in contention for final nominations in the International Feature Film category at the Oscars 2026, according to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).

“As per the Academy rules, fifteen films will advance to the next round of voting in the International Feature Film category for the 98th Academy Awards. Films from 86 countries or regions were eligible in the category,” the AMPAS website stated.

India’s official Oscar entry, 'Homebound' has been shortlisted alongside international titles including Argentina’s Belen, Brazil’s The Secret Agent, France’s It Was Just an Accident, Germany’s Sound of Falling, among others.

The film’s official production banner, Dharma Productions, announced the development through a post on Instagram on Wednesday.
'Homebound' has been shortlisted for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards. We’re deeply grateful for the extraordinary love and support we’ve received from around the world,” the production house wrote.

According to AMPAS, the shortlist was finalised following active participation by Academy members in the preliminary round of voting.
In the nominations round, Academy members from all branches are invited to opt in to participate and must view all 15 shortlisted films to vote,” the Academy noted.

Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, Homebound follows the story of childhood friends Shoaib (played by Ishaan Khatter) and Chandan (played by Vishal Jethwa), whose shared dream of joining the police force shapes their lives and choices. The narrative explores themes of friendship, duty, aspiration and the pressures faced by young Indians navigating complex social realities. Actress Janhvi Kapoor plays a pivotal role, adding emotional depth to the story.

Earlier this year, Homebound garnered widespread critical acclaim across major international film festivals. The film had its celebrated world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival 2025, where it received a strong response from critics and audiences alike.

Following its Cannes debut, Homebound was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where it secured the Second Runner-Up position for the "International Audience Choice Award", further strengthening its awards-season momentum.

Produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, and Apoorva Mehta, the film is co-produced by Marijke deSouza and Melita Toscan du Plantier. Renowned filmmaker Martin Scorsese and Pravin Khairnar are attached to the project as executive producers.

With its shortlist entry now confirmed, Homebound remains in the race for a final nomination as the Academy prepares to announce the official nominees for the 98th Academy Awards in the coming months.