Filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan’s Hindi film “Homebound” has been chosen as India’s official entry for the 2026 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature category.
The announcement was made in Kolkata on Friday by Film Federation of India president Firdausul Hasan,
The movie, which was selected in the Un Certain Regard category at the Cannes Film Festival and was recently at the Toronto International Film Festival, was chosen to represent India at the Oscars by the chairperson of the selection committee N Chandra.
At Cannes, ‘Homebound’ received a nine-minute standing ovation, highlighting its emotional depth and sensitive storytelling. At TIFF, it was named second runner-up for the International People’s Choice Award, earning another standing ovation from the audience.
Homebound features Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor in pivotal roles. Produced by Dharma Productions, the film is supported by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra, with Martin Scorsese serving as executive producer.
The film is set to release in Indian theatres on September 26, 2025, following a trailer launch on September 22.
Chandra said a total of 24 films from different languages were in contention for representing the country at the Oscars.
“It was a very difficult choice. These were films that touched the lives of people. We were not judges but coaches. We were searching for players who have made their mark,” he said.
“‘Homebound’ was chosen unanimously by the jury to represent the country,” he added.
Other than “The Bengal Files”, “Pushpa 2”, “The Pyre”, “Kesari”, “Superboys of Malegaon”, “Veera Chandrahasa” were among the films competing to be selected by the 14-member selection committee made of producers, directors, writers, editors and journalists.
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The film is inspired by journalist Basharat Peer’s The New York Times article “Taking Amrit Home”, also titled (A Friendship, a Pandemic and a Death Beside the Highway).
The film portrays the childhood friendship between a Muslim and a Dalit who chase a police job that promises them the dignity they have long been denied due to their surnames.
The 98th Oscars will take place on Sunday, March 15, 2026.
