Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound selected as India’s official entry for Oscars 2026

Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa star in Homebound

Neeraj Ghaywan’s directorial Homebound is officially selected as India’s official entry to the 2026 Academy Awards. The chairperson of the selection committee, N Chandra, announced on Friday that the film has been selected in the Best International Feature Film category.

Homebound’s Oscars 2026 achievement came after the film received international acclaim at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and the Cannes Film Festival.

N Chandra revealed that a total of 24 films in different languages were in contention for representing the country at the Oscars.

He shared, “It was a very difficult choice. These were films that touched the lives of people.” He added, “We were not judges but coaches. We were searching for players who have made their mark.”

However, the 12-member selection committee features producers, directors, writers, editors and journalists, who made the final call.

Meanwhile, Karan Johar reacted to the huge achievement and said, "We are deeply honoured and humbled that HOMEBOUND has been selected as India’s official entry to the Academy Awards… Neeraj Ghaywan’s labour of love is sure to a find a home in a million hearts across the world."

Neeraj Ghaywan also expressed his pride and added, “I’m deeply honoured that Homebound has been chosen as India’s official entry to the Oscars. Rooted in the love for our land and our people, it carries the essence of the home we all share. To take our stories to the world and represent India at one of the biggest global stages for cinema is both humbling and a matter of pride, and for this I’m extremely grateful.”

The film bagged the second runner-up in the International People’s Choice category at the TIFF 2025. The filmmaker celebrated the milestone with an Instagram post soon after the announcement.

Neeraj shared a poster of the film and penned in the caption, “Thrilled to announce that our film #HOMEBOUND just won the @TIFF_NET International People’s Choice Award as a second runner-up!!”

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A post shared by Neeraj Ghaywan (@neeraj.ghaywan)

Homebound had its world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival 2025 and received a standing ovation. The makers have released the trailer of the film in India and received positive reviews from the fans.

Homebound features an ensemble cast including Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, Vishal Jethwa and others.

Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, the film is produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra, alongside co-producers Marijke de Souza and Melita Toscan Du Plantier. Martin Scorsese serves as the executive producer.

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Homebound follows two childhood friends in North India pursuing their dream of joining the police, seeking dignity, exploring their struggles and aspirations. Their friendship strains as desperation grows in their quest.

Homebound is scheduled to hit the theatres on Friday, September 26.

Watch Homebound Trailer Here: