India sends Karan Johar's 'Homebound' as official entry for Oscars

Hindi film Homebound has been chosen as India’s official entry for the 2026 Academy Awards. The film, which will compete in the prestigious Best International Feature category, was selected from a list of 24 films in various languages. The news was announced at a press conference in Kolkata by N. Chandra, the chairperson of the 12-member selection committee, which included prominent producers, directors, writers, and journalists.

Chandra stated that the selection process was "a very difficult choice," as all the films considered were of high quality. He added that the committee's approach was not to act as "judges" but rather as "coaches," searching for films that had already made a significant mark. The decision to select Homebound reflects the committee's belief that the film has the potential to resonate with a global audience and bring home an Oscar.

Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and produced by Karan Johar and Adar Poonawalla, Homebound stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor in the lead roles. The film tells the powerful and poignant story of two childhood friends from a small north Indian village who aspire to secure a police job. Their shared dream is to gain the dignity and respect that have long been denied to them. As they get closer to their goal, the pressures of their circumstances threaten to unravel their friendship.

The selection of Homebound comes after the film has already received international acclaim. It received a warm reception at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival, where it was the second runner-up for the People's Choice International Award. Prior to that, the film had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival and was praised by acclaimed director Martin Scorsese. It received a nine-minute standing ovation at Cannes, a moment that marked a turning point for the cast and crew.

The film’s lead actors have also spoken about their experiences. Janhvi Kapoor said that she never saw Homebound as a career milestone for herself, but rather as a collaborative effort to tell a story "bigger than us." Her co-star, Vishal Jethwa, revealed that he initially struggled to connect with the film despite his hard work during auditions. However, the experience of watching it with an audience at Cannes was "extremely different" and deeply moving for him.

With its universal themes of friendship, ambition, and the struggle for dignity, Homebound is seen as a strong contender for a nomination. India's film fraternity and fans are now eagerly waiting to see if the film can secure a spot on the final shortlist and bring home the country's first Academy Award in the Best International Feature category.