Homebound is India's official entry to Oscars 2026 after beating Pushpa 2, Kesari 2 among others in race

Neeraj Ghaywan's directorial, Homebound, which stars Ishan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vishal Jethwa, is India's official entry to the Oscars 2026. Backed by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions, the film competed with multiple films before being chosen to represent India at the Academy Awards. 

The Oscar entry race included films such as Allu Arjun's Pushpa 2, Akshay Kumar's Kesari Chapter 2, Anupam Kher's Tanvi The Great, Mithun Chakraborty's The Bengal Files, and Abhishek Bachchan's I want to talk. The list also included other talked films like Superboys of Malegaon, Sthal, Kannappa, Meta The Dazzling Girl, and Sambar Bonda. 

Homebound also topped other acclaimed movies, beating Dashavatar, Paani, Vanvaas, Gandhi Tatha Chettu, Kubera, Aata Thambaycha Naay, Boong, Humans in the Loop, Sankranthiki Vasthunnam, Jugnuma, Phule, Pyre, and Veera Chandrahasa. 

The film, Homebound, is a story of two childhood friends hailing from a small north Indian village, who chase a police job that can provide them the dignity they have longed for and have been denied. As the film progresses and they reach closer to achieving the dream, the building desperation poses a threat to their close bond. It is set to hit theatres on September 26. The shortlist will be announced on December 16, 2025. 

The film's lead, Ishan Khatter, took to Instagram, sharing his happiness over the news, writing, "This is the film I've been proudest of, and even if it wasn't my film, I would feel the same way. Some films are much bigger than us...@neeraj.ghaywan, I love you so much, brother, you deserve this and more. You have made the most humane film in some of the most isolated of times, and it's my honour to be a vessel for your vision." 

Adding, "Only you could make such an Indian film at its heart with a universal language. @karanjohar for enabling us, deeply understanding, and protecting this film like a father." 

Mentioning filmmaker Martin Scorsese, who is the Executive Producer of Homebound, Ishan wrote, "the greatest @martinscorsese_ whose midas touch brought us home." He also showered praises for co-actors Janhvi and Vishal. 

Janhvi and Vishal also took to their respective social media handles, expressing their joyous emotions. Janhvi called it "nothing short of a dream", while Vishal thanked God, wishing his late father could witness the moment. 

Kareena Kapoor, Ananya Panday, Sara Ali Khan, Sanjay Kapoor, and Shakun Batra also poured congratulatory messages, giving a big shoutout to the film.