Neeraj Ghaywan's 'Homebound' Misses Out on Oscar Nomination
Neeraj Ghaywan's highly praised film "Homebound" will not be competing at the Oscars 2026, as it did not secure a nomination for the best international feature film category.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the nominees for the 98th Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Thursday. Although India's submission made it to the shortlist of 15 films, it ultimately fell short of reaching the final five.
Produced by Karan Johar and Adar Poonawalla, this Hindi film has had a successful run at various film festivals, starting with its debut in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival last May.
Based on journalist Basharat Peer's New York Times article titled "Taking Amrit Home," the film features Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor in prominent roles.
The narrative explores the childhood bond between a Muslim boy and a Dalit boy, both aspiring to join the police force in their quest for dignity and social acceptance, which has been elusive due to their surnames. Notably, Hollywood director Martin Scorsese serves as an executive producer for this project.
The 98th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
The final nominees in the international feature film category include Brazil's "The Secret Agent," the French film "It Was Just an Accident," Norway's "Sentimental Value," Spain's "Sirat," and Tunisia's "The Voice of Hind Rajab."
Historically, only three Indian films have reached the final nomination stage: Mehboob Khan's "Mother India" (1957), Mira Nair's "Salaam Bombay!" (1988), and Ashutosh Gowariker's "Lagaan" (2001). While all three received nominations, none succeeded in winning the Oscar.