Oscars 2026: India’s Homebound Makes It To The Shortlist For Best International Feature Film At 98th Academy Awards

Neeraj Ghaywan's Homebound, India's official entry for the 98th Academy Awards (Oscars 2026), made it to the shortlist for the Best International Feature Film category. The film starred Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor in key roles. Karan Johar and Ghaywan expressed their happiness on social media.

Homebound makes it to Oscars 2026 shortlist

On Tuesday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the shortlists for 12 categories for the 98th Academy Awards. India's Homebound has been shortlisted among 15 films for the Best International Feature Film, out of which five films will be chosen for the final nominations, which will be announced on January 22.

Karan Johar pens emotional note

Expressing his happiness, Karan Johar shared the list on Instagram and 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 (sic)."

He added, "Thank you @neeraj.ghaywan for making so many dreams of ours come true… from Cannes to being on the Oscar shortlist this has been such an overwhelming journey! Love to the entire cast and crew and teams of this special special film!!!!!!!!! Upwards and onwards…….. #HOMEBOUND streaming now on @netflix_in (sic)."

Neeraj Ghaywan, sharing the poster of his film on social media, wrote, "#Homebound has been shortlisted for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards! @TheAcademy. We’re deeply grateful for the extraordinary love and support we've received from around the world (sic)."

About Homebound

The story revolves around two childhood friends, Shoaib Ali and Chandan Kumar, from a small North Indian village, who want to become police officers to gain the dignity and respect they’ve long been denied. The film shows their deep bond and how they navigate their personal challenges, moving towards their dream.

It is inspired by journalist Basharat Peer's 2020 New York Times essay, Taking Amrit Home, which tells the real-life journey of two migrant friends during the COVID-19 lockdown in India.

Films shortlisted for Best International Feature Film for Oscars 2026

Other films which made to the Oscars 2026 shortlist in Best International Feature Film category include Argentina's Belen, Brazil's The Secret Agent, France's It Was Just an Accident, Germany's Sound of Falling, Iraq's The President's Cake, Japan's Kokuho, Jordan's All That's Left of You, Norway's Sentimental Value, Palestine's Palestine 36, South Korea's No Other Choice, Spain's Sirat, Switzerland's Late Shift, Taiwan's Left-Handed Girl, and Tunisia's The Voice of Hind Rajab.

The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will be held on March 15, 2026.