Neeraj Ghaywan's film Homebound has been shortlisted in the Best International Feature Film category for the 98th Academy Awards. Produced by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions, it stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor in lead roles. As India's official entry, it advances to the nomination round among 15 films.
On December 16, 2025, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced shortlists across all categories, including Homebound in the Best International Feature Film. Out of 86 submissions worldwide, 15 films were selected, with India's Homebound advancing to the nominations round.
The story, based on journalist Basharat Peer's 2020 New York Times article 'Taking Amrit Home', follows two childhood friends, Shoaib (Ishaan Khatter) and Chandan (Vishal Jethwa), from Dalit and Muslim communities. They endure poverty and discrimination while dreaming of a police job that promises dignity, but become ensnared in India's harsh socio-political realities. Janhvi Kapoor plays a key role, and Martin Scorsese serves as executive producer.
The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival earlier this year, and was released in theaters on September 26, 2025. Karan Johar shared his elation on social media: "I am not sure I can articulate how proud, elated and over the moon I am with the journey of Homebound. All of us @dharmamovies are privileged to have this proud and important film in our filmography. Thank you @neeraj.ghaywan for making so many dreams of ours come true. From Cannes to being on the Oscar shortlist this has been such an overwhelming journey!"
Other shortlisted films include Argentina's Belén, Brazil's The Secret Agent, France's It Was Just an Accident, Germany's Sound of Falling, Iraq's The President's Cake, Japan's Kokuho, Jordan's All Dates Left of You, Norway's Sentimental Value, Spain's Sirât, Switzerland's Late Shift, Taiwan's Left-Handed Girl, and Tunisia's The Voice of Hind Rajab. Academy members will now view these 15 films to vote for nominations.
