Filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan’s critically celebrated drama Homebound has moved a step closer to the Academy Awards after being shortlisted in the Best International Feature Film category, placing it among 15 films selected from across the globe. The announcement positions the film alongside entries from countries including Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Iraq, Japan, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland and Taiwan, underscoring its strong international reception.
The shortlist features a diverse mix of global cinema, with titles such as Belén from Argentina, The Secret Agent from Brazil, It Was Just an Accident from France, Sound of Falling from Germany and The President’s Cake from Iraq also vying for a nomination. The final nominations will be revealed later in January, when the Academy narrows the list further ahead of the awards ceremony.
Reacting to the development, producer Karan Johar described the journey of Homebound as deeply emotional and rewarding. Sharing the official shortlist online, Johar expressed pride in the film’s progression from its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival to now being recognised by the Academy. He credited Ghaywan’s vision and acknowledged the dedication of the cast and crew in bringing the story to the screen. Ghaywan echoed the sentiment by resharing the message on social media.
Produced by Karan Johar and Adar Poonawalla, Homebound features Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor in lead roles. The film draws inspiration from journalist Basharat Peer’s New York Times piece Taking Amrit Home, also known as A Friendship, a Pandemic and a Death Beside the Highway. Acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese is associated with the project as an executive producer.
Set against themes of caste, identity and social marginalisation, the narrative follows the bond between a Muslim and a Dalit childhood friend as they chase the promise of dignity through a police job, confronting long-standing social barriers along the way. Meanwhile, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has also released shortlists in several other categories, including the newly introduced Casting Oscar. The final nominations for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced on January 22, 2026, with the ceremony scheduled for March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
