India annually chooses one film to represent the nation at the Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. This choice typically follows a review of movies from various languages and production houses across Indian cinema.

In September 2025, a selection committee named Neeraj Ghaywan’s Hindi film Homebound as India’s official submission for the 2026 Oscars. This decision came after evaluating twenty-four films, which included Telugu titles like Pushpa 2, Sankranthiki Vasthunnam, Kannappa, and Kuberaa.

The International Feature Film Committee reviews all qualifying submissions. They then vote to select a group of 15 films from worldwide entries. This Tuesday, news broke that Homebound secured a spot on this shortlist for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards, set for March 2026.

Following this, Academy members participating in this category watch the shortlisted movies and cast their votes once more. This round decides the final five nominees, expected to be revealed in January. During the last voting phase in February, all eligible Academy voters can choose from these five films. The movie receiving the most votes earns the Oscar in March.

Being shortlisted marks a major accomplishment, positioning the film very close to an official nomination. We are waiting to see if Homebound will secure a nomination and ultimately win the Oscar.

Karan Johar and Adar Poonawalla produced Homebound, which features Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor. The plot centers on two childhood friends from a small North Indian village, both aspiring to join the police. They encounter challenges related to caste and religion, yet their bond and resolve help them persevere.

The film has already garnered considerable international attention. It debuted at the Cannes Film Festival 2025 and was later shown at the Toronto International Film Festival. There, it finished as the second runner-up for the International People’s Choice Award.