"it carries the essence of the home we all share."
India has chosen Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound as its submission for the international feature film category at the 2026 Oscars.
The drama, which premiered in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section earlier in 2025, stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor.
Inspired by Basharat Peer’s 2020 New York Times essay Taking Amrit Home, the film follows two childhood friends from a North Indian town whose dream of joining the police force unravels amid caste divides, religious tensions and the despair of the pandemic lockdown.
Neeraj expressed gratitude for the selection, telling Variety:
“I’m deeply honoured that Homebound has been chosen as India’s official entry to the Oscars.
“Rooted in the love for our land and our people, it carries the essence of the home we all share.
“To take our stories to the world and represent India at one of the biggest global stages for cinema is both humbling and a matter of pride, and for this I’m extremely grateful.”
The decision follows last year’s controversy when India selected Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies over Payal Kapadia’s Cannes prize-winner All We Imagine as Light.
That choice triggered debate over whether the Film Federation of India was sidelining films with strong festival momentum. Ultimately, Laapataa Ladies failed to reach the Academy shortlist.
Homebound has already earned international recognition.
It counts Martin Scorsese among its executive producers and was named second runner-up for the TIFF People’s Choice Award in Toronto.
Its selection signals a shift by the Federation towards films that combine local authenticity with global resonance.
India has yet to win in the international feature category, though it has secured three nominations in the past: Mehboob Khan’s Mother India (1957), Mira Nair’s Salaam Bombay! (1988) and Ashutosh Gowariker’s Lagaan (2001).
More recent Indian entries, including Pan Nalin’s Last Film Show and Rima Das’ Village Rockstars, have found success on the festival circuit but fell short with the Academy.
Whether Homebound can turn acclaim into Oscar traction will depend heavily on campaign strategy in the coming months, with producer Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions leading the push.
Neeraj Ghaywan, whose debut Masaan premiered at Cannes in 2015, is now regarded as one of India’s most distinctive filmmakers. Homebound will release in India on September 26, 2025.
Watch the Homebound Trailer
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