Acclaimed filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound has officially been selected as India’s entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards. The film, starring Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vishal Jethwa, will release in theatres on September 26, 2025.
The story of Homebound follows three estranged siblings who are forced to reunite in their ancestral home after the sudden demise of their father. Set against the backdrop of a small Indian town, the film delves into themes of grief, reconciliation, and generational conflict. As long-buried secrets surface, the siblings confront not only their fractured relationships but also the legacy of their father’s unresolved past. Ghaywan, known for his sensitive storytelling in Masaan and Geeli Pucchi, once again brings an intimate, humanistic lens to complex emotional journeys.
The film has already earned international recognition. At the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this month, Homebound won the second runner-up trophy in the People’s Choice International category, a feat that has amplified its chances on the awards circuit.
Other notable Indian films in contention for this year’s Oscars nomination included Tanvi: The Great (Hindi), The Bengali Files (Hindi), Pushpa 2 (Telugu), Kannappa (Telugu), Jugnuma (Hindi), Kesari Chapter 2 (Hindi), and Phule (Hindi).
The 98th Academy Awards will take place in Los Angeles on March 15, 2026, with nominations set to be announced on January 22, 2026.
If Homebound secures a nomination, it will join the ranks of Indian films that have left an indelible mark on the global cinematic stage, reinforcing the growing presence of contemporary Indian cinema worldwide.
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