New Delhi — The Hindi film Homebound, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan and produced by Karan Johar and Adar Poonawalla, has been officially chosen as India’s entry for the 2026 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature category.
Announcing the decision at a press conference in Kolkata, N. Chandra, chairperson of the selection committee, revealed that 24 films across multiple Indian languages were considered before Homebound was selected. “It was a very difficult choice. These were films that touched the lives of people,” Chandra said. “We were not judges but coaches. We were searching for players who have made their mark.”
Homebound stars Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vishal Jethwa in lead roles and tells the powerful story of two childhood friends from a small village in North India striving to secure police jobs that offer them long-denied dignity and respect. The film earned critical acclaim when it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, where audiences were deeply moved by its portrayal of friendship, struggle, and hope.
Janhvi Kapoor reflected on the film’s emotional resonance, saying, “When we were shooting, there was a collective sense that we were trying to make something bigger than us. At Cannes, when we saw how people reacted, it felt like we had touched something universal, inspiring empathy in a divided world.”
Vishal Jethwa added that watching the film with a global audience changed his perspective: “At Cannes, the experience was transformative. It wasn’t just about reviews anymore — it was about how deeply it connected with people.”
This marks India’s second consecutive strong entry after Kiran Rao’s Laapataa Ladies, which represented India at last year’s Oscars and was widely celebrated for its heartwarming social message.
With Homebound carrying the hopes of Indian cinema on the global stage, expectations are high that this moving story of perseverance and friendship will resonate with Academy voters and continue India’s journey of gaining recognition for its rich and diverse storytelling.