‘Homebound’ selected as India’s official entry to Oscars 2026

Kolkata: The Hindi film Homebound has been chosen as India’s official entry for the 2026 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category, the Film Federation of India announced on Thursday.

At a press conference in Kolkata, filmmaker N. Chandra, who chaired the selection committee, said that 24 films across languages were considered this year. “It was a very difficult choice. These were films that touched people’s lives. We were not judges but coaches, looking for players who had made their mark,” he observed.

Produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, Homebound features Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor in the lead roles. The film follows the journey of two childhood friends from a small village in northern India, bound together by their pursuit of a police job that promises them long-denied dignity.

Reacting to the announcement, Mr. Johar said, “We are deeply honoured and humbled. Neeraj Ghaywan’s labour of love is sure to find a home in a million hearts across the world.”

Mr. Ghaywan described the selection as a moment of pride. “Rooted in the love for our land and our people, Homebound carries the essence of the home we all share. To take our stories to the world and represent India on one of the biggest global stages for cinema is both humbling and gratifying,” he said.