In a landmark moment for Indian cinema, Neeraj Ghaywan&rsquo;s Homebound has been declared India&rsquo;s official entry to the 2026 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature category. The film, which premiered at Cannes and has already drawn global acclaim, will now carry India&rsquo;s hopes to the Oscars.
Starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor, Homebound is produced by Dharma Productions with executive production by none other than Martin Scorsese.
A Story of Friendship, Struggle and Resilience 
At its core, Homebound chronicles the mass displacement of migrant workers during the COVID-19 outbreak, a reality that shook India to its core. The narrative follows two friends, Chandan (played by Jethwa), a Dalit, and Shoaib (Khatter), a Muslim who aspire to join the police force and rise above caste and religious biases while nurturing dreams of a better life for their families.
Director Neeraj Ghaywan described the film as &ldquo;rooted in the love for our land and our people,&rdquo; adding that representing India on the world stage is &ldquo;both humbling and a matter of pride.&rdquo;
Beating Blockbusters to the Spot 
What makes this selection particularly striking is that Homebound was chosen over some of India&rsquo;s biggest commercial hits, including the record-smashing Pushpa 2. Other contenders were Telugu epic Kannappa, bilingual project Kuberaa, and veteran actor Anupam Kher&rsquo;s directorial Tanvi the Great.
Karan Johar, the producer, called the film &ldquo;Ghaywan&rsquo;s labour of love&rdquo; and expressed hope that Homebound would &ldquo;find a home in a million hearts across the world.&rdquo;
Global Recognition Ahead of Indian Release 
The film has already enjoyed critical success abroad, finishing as the second runner-up at the Toronto International Film Festival&rsquo;s International People&rsquo;s Choice Award after its Cannes debut in the Un Certain Regard section earlier this year.
Back home, audiences won&rsquo;t have to wait long. Homebound is slated for a theatrical release across India on September 26.
With its raw portrayal of friendship, faith, and resilience in the face of systemic barriers, the movie not only reflects contemporary India but also positions itself as a strong contender on the global stage.

Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound, backed by Karan Johar, named India’s official Oscar entry

Homebound to Oscars 2026

Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound, backed by Karan Johar, named India’s official Oscar entry

September 20, 2025 | 11:58 IST