Indian film Homebound, featuring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, has been chosen as India's official submission to the 2026 Academy Awards, with Neeraj Ghaywan directing the production.
Neeraj Ghaywan's latest directorial venture, Homebound, has made a significant impact in the global film industry. After a decade since his debut feature film Masaan in 2015, Ghaywan returns with a powerful story set in a small North Indian village.
The film, produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Abhishek Pathak, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and Apoorva Mehta, among others, has been inspired by journalist Basharat Peer's article during the pandemic. It stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor in the leading roles.
Homebound made its worldwide premiere at the prestigious 78th Cannes Film Festival in May, where it received a thunderous standing ovation. The film was also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) recently, and it continues to garner praise from critics and audiences alike.
The film's selection as India's official entry for the 2026 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category is a testament to its impact. The selection committee, chaired by N Chandra, consisted of producers, directors, writers, editors, and journalists. According to Chandra, the committee's role was not to judge but to coach and find players who have made their mark.
The selection process was a challenging one, with a total of 24 films in different languages contending for the honour of representing India at the Oscars. However, Homebound emerged as the chosen one, touching the lives of people, as stated by Chandra. The film is executively produced by Hollywood legend Martin Scorsese.
The press conference regarding Homebound's selection was held in Kolkata, where Chandra emphasised that it was a difficult choice as the films were ones that touched the lives of people. Homebound is set to release in theatres worldwide on September 26.
With its poignant narrative and stellar performances, Homebound is undoubtedly a film that has made its mark, as suggested by N Chandra. It is a powerful story that resonates with audiences, making it a worthy contender for the 2026 Academy Awards.
