Cannes Film Festival

Indian cinema has once again made its presence felt on the global awards stage, with Homebound moving into the next round of voting for the Best International Feature Film category at the Oscars 2026. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) announced that 15 films from around the world have been shortlisted from a pool of entries submitted by 86 countries and regions. India’s Homebound is among this elite list, standing alongside films from Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Norway, Palestine, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, and Tunisia. The shortlisted titles include Belen (Argentina), The Secret Agent (Brazil), It Was Just an Accident (France), Sound of Falling (Germany), The President’s Cake (Iraq), Kokuho (Japan), All That’s Left of You (Jordan), Sentimental Value (Norway), Palestine 36 (Palestine), No Other Choice (South Korea), Sirat (Spain), Late Shift (Switzerland), Left-Handed Girl (Taiwan), and The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia). Confirming the development, The Academy shared an update on its official social media platforms, noting that the selected films have advanced to the next stage of voting. The final Oscar nominations are scheduled to be announced on Thursday, January 22. Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, Homebound has already enjoyed an impressive international journey, premiering at major film festivals including Cannes, Toronto International Film Festival, and the Melbourne International Film Festival. With its inclusion in the Oscar shortlist, the film has achieved a rare distinction, becoming only the fifth Indian film in the Academy Awards’ 98-year history to reach this stage in the International Feature Film category. Starring Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa in lead roles, the film explores the lives of childhood friends Shoaib and Chandan, whose shared aspiration to join the police force shapes their destinies. Janhvi Kapoor plays a key role, adding emotional depth to a narrative rooted in friendship, ambition, and the social pressures faced by young people in contemporary India. Ishaan Khatter marked the achievement by sharing the news on his Instagram stories. Homebound is produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, and Apoorva Mehta, with co-producers Marijke deSouza and Melita Toscan Du Plantier. The project also boasts acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese and Pravin Khairnar as executive producers. The film’s progression in the Oscars race is being seen as a significant moment for Indian cinema, reinforcing its growing resonance on the international stage. Source: ANI