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India Selects 'Homebound' for 2026 Oscars Contention

9/20/2025

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Summary

Story summary

India has chosen Neeraj Ghaywan’s film “Homebound” as its official entry for the 2026 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature category.
The film, featuring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, premiered at Cannes, earning a nine-minute standing ovation.
“Homebound” depicts the friendship between a Muslim and a Dalit in a North Indian village, both aspiring to join the police force.
The Film Federation of India selected it from 24 films.
Produced by Karan Johar, with Martin Scorsese as an executive producer, “Homebound” releases in India on September 26, 2025.

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Story summary

India has chosen Neeraj Ghaywan’s film “Homebound” as its official entry for the 2026 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature category.
The film, featuring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, premiered at Cannes, earning a nine-minute standing ovation.
“Homebound” depicts the friendship between a Muslim and a Dalit in a North Indian village, both aspiring to join the police force.
The Film Federation of India selected it from 24 films.
Produced by Karan Johar, with Martin Scorsese as an executive producer, “Homebound” releases in India on September 26, 2025.