Homebound: Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa Film Makes The Cut To 2026 Oscars Shortlists

Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound is one step closer to representing India at the 98th Academy Awards. Starring Vishal Jethwa, Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor, the sociodrama has been shortlisted for the Oscars

2026. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced shortlists in 12 categories: Animated Short Film, Casting, Cinematography, Documentary Feature Film, Documentary Short Film, International Feature Film, Live Action Short Film, Makeup and Hairstyling, Music (Original Score), Music (Original Song), Sound and Visual Effects.

Homebound gets shortlisted for Oscars 2026

Under the International Feature Film category, Homebound will be competing with other countries. Dharma Productions shared the news on Instagram and wrote, “Homebound has been shortlisted for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards. We’re deeply grateful for the extraordinary love and support we’ve received from around the world.”

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ALSO READ: Shah Rukh Khan Reviews Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, Vishal Jethwa's Homebound: Gentle, Honest, SoulfulHomebound will be competing with: Belén – Argentina The Secret Agent – Brazil It Was Just an Accident – France Sound of Falling – GermanyThe President’s Cake – Iraq Kokuho – JapanAll That’s Left of You – JordanSentimental Value – NorwayPalestine 36 – PalestineNo Other Choice – South KoreaSirât – SpainLate Shift – SwitzerlandLeft-Handed Girl – TaiwanThe Voice of Hind Rajab – Tunisia

Shah Rukh Khan praises Homebound

Before getting shortlisted for the Oscars 2026, Shah Rukh Khan praised Homebound on X by tweeting, “#Homebound is gentle, honest, and soulful,” and went on to add, “Lots of love and big hugs to the phenomenal team for creating something so human and engaging. You have won hearts worldwide by making something truly special!”

#Homebound is gentle, honest and soulful. Lots of love and big hugs to the phenomenal team for creating something so human and engaging. You have won hearts world over by making something truly special!@ghaywan #IshaanKhatter @vishaljethwa06 #JanhviKapoor #KaranJohar…

— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) December 10, 2025

Martin Scorsese joined Homebound as an executive producer. Prior to the Cannes Film Festival 2025 in May, the veteran said in a statement, “I have seen Neeraj’s first film Masaan in 2015 and I loved it, so when Mélita Toscan du Plantier sent me the project of his second film, I was curious. I loved the story, the culture and was willing to help. Neeraj has made a beautifully crafted film that’s a significant contribution to Indian cinema. I am glad the movie is an official selection at Un Certain Regard in Cannes this year."Homebound is the story of Chandan and Shoaib, who are grappling with societal injustices towards caste and religion. Their friendship and brotherhood are tested. However, COVID-19 changes their lives. Homebound is currently streaming on Netflix.