Homebound Enters Oscar 2026 Shortlist in Best International Feature Category

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Homebound, directed by Neera Ghaywan and featuring a star cast like Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vishal Jethwa, has been selected for the 98th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. 

The announcement of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has confirmed the progression of 15 films in this category, from which only five will receive the final nominations for the Oscars in March 2026.

Karan Johar Shares His Excitement


Producer Karan Johar, who backed the film under Dharma Productions, expressed immense pride over the achievement. Taking to Instagram, he wrote, “I am not sure I can articulate how proud, elated, and over the moon I am with the journey of #HOMEBOUND. All of us @dharmamovies are privileged to have this proud and important film in our filmography.” He also thanked Neera Ghaywan and the cast for their dedication.

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Storyline and Performances


Homebound is a story of two young men, portrayed by Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa, who are trying to chase their dream of becoming police officers. The plot shows their pain and victories, reflecting deeply with the viewers. Janhvi Kapoor's performance brings more complexity to the character and the plot. 

The film, after its global premiere at Cannes, was also presented at the Toronto International Film Festival and is now available for streaming on Netflix India.

Global Competition and Oscar Timeline


The shortlist also includes films from Japan, Jordan, Norway, Palestine, Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Iraq, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, and Tunisia. The final nominations will be revealed on January 22, 2026, just before the Oscars event on March 15 that will be hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien. This worldwide visibility makes Homebound a powerful challenger with respect to the international market in India.

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A Landmark Moment for Bollywood


The fact that Homebound made it to the Oscar shortlist is a clear indication of India’s increasing influence in the world of cinema. The film has been through a series of festivals, starting from Cannes to the Oscars, and the eventual recognition of Bollywood’s changing narrative has been one of the major factors in the movie being chosen for the Oscars. 

The moment is not only one of pride but also of anticipation for the viewers and industry insiders, as the final nominations are most likely to boost the film’s reputation across the globe.