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'Homebound' is India's Official Entry for the 2026 Oscars
Neeraj Ghaywan’s contemporary drama Homebound becomes India’s bid for Best International Feature at the 98th Academy Awards
- Publish date: Wednesday، 24 September 2025 Reading time: two min read
India has officially chosen Homebound as its submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards in 2026.
The announcement was made following a competitive selection process that considered 24 films across various Indian languages.
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Directed and co-written by Neeraj Ghaywan, Homebound is produced by Dharma Productions and Adar Poonawalla, with Martin Scorsese credited as an executive producer.
The film stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor in key roles.
Homebound is adapted from a 2020 New York Times essay by Basharat Peer, and follows the journey of two childhood friends—a Muslim and a Dalit—who aspire to become police constables, navigating the intersections of caste, religious identity, and systemic injustice. The story explores their struggles against social barriers, personal ambition, loyalty, and the fragile promise of dignity.
The film has already made waves on the international festival circuit. It premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it earned acclaim.
At the Toronto International Film Festival, Homebound was named second runner-up in the International People’s Choice Award category.
When announcing Homebound as India’s Oscar entry, N Chandra, chairperson of the selection committee, described the decision as difficult, citing the strength of competing films and the importance of recognizing works that “touch lives.”
Director Ghaywan expressed gratitude and humility, calling the selection “a matter of pride” and a chance to bring the stories of Indian communities to a global audience.
In the context of India’s Oscar history, Homebound is part of a long tradition of ambitious cinema vying for international recognition. Although India has made numerous submissions over the years, a win in the Best International Feature category has remained elusive.
With its festival pedigree and socially resonant narrative, Homebound is now poised as a strong contender on the global stage.
Homebound is slated for theatrical release in India on September 26, 2025, and its journey to the Oscars will now continue, with hopes of making the shortlist and ultimately securing a nomination.
This article was previously published on omanmoments. To see the original article, click here