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.”
ALSO READ: Shah Rukh Khan Reviews Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, Vishal Jethwa's Homebound: Gentle, Honest, Soulful
Homebound will be competing with:
Belén – Argentina
The Secret Agent – Brazil
It Was Just an Accident – France
Sound of Falling – Germany
The President’s Cake – Iraq
Kokuho – Japan
All That’s Left of You – Jordan
Sentimental Value – Norway
Palestine 36 – Palestine
No Other Choice – South Korea
Sirât – Spain
Late Shift – Switzerland
Left-Handed Girl – Taiwan
The 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.
