Neeraj Ghaywan‘s powerful film Homebound has officially made it to the top 15 shortlist for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards. This is a massive achievement for Indian cinema and brings the film one step closer to an Oscar nomination.
The Academy announced the shortlist on December 16, 2025, and Homebound was among the 15 films selected from 86 entries from around the world. The film stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor in lead roles. This milestone has brought immense joy to the entire team and fans across India.
A Journey From Cannes to Oscars
Homebound has been on an incredible journey since its world premiere. The film was selected for the prestigious Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival 2025 where it received a standing ovation. It then went on to win third place in the People’s Choice category at the Toronto International Film Festival.
After these international accolades, the Film Federation of India selected Homebound as India’s official entry for the Oscars 2026 in September. The selection committee reviewed 24 films before choosing this powerful story. Now with the top 15 shortlist placement, the film has crossed another major hurdle in its Oscar journey.
What Makes Homebound Special
The film tells a very powerful and emotional story based on real events. It follows two childhood friends from a small village in North India who dream of becoming police constables. They hope this government job will bring them the dignity and respect that has been denied to them because of caste and class barriers.
Director Neeraj Ghaywan is known for his sensitive storytelling and this is his return to feature filmmaking after ten years. The film is produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra. What makes it even more special is that legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese serves as executive producer.
The Road Ahead to Oscar Nomination
Making it to the top 15 is a big achievement but the competition is tough. From these 15 shortlisted films, only 5 will receive Oscar nominations. The final nominees will be announced on January 22, 2026. If Homebound makes it to the final five, it will be a historic moment for Indian cinema.
The film released in theaters across India on September 26, 2025 and is now available for streaming on Netflix since November 21, 2025. This wider availability means more Academy members can watch the film which could help its chances of making it to the final nomination list.
About Homebound
Homebound is a Hindi language drama directed by Neeraj Ghaywan with screenplay and dialogues by Ghaywan, Varun Grover, and Shreedhar Dubey. The story is adapted from a 2020 New York Times article by Basharat Peer. It explores themes of friendship, caste discrimination, and the pursuit of dignity in rural India. More official announcements about the final Oscar nomination are awaited.
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