Oscars 2026: India’s Homebound Gets Shortlisted For Best International Feature Film At 98th Academy Awards; Karan Johar Pens Emotional Note

Karan Johar’s film Homebound has now advanced to be one of 15 films eligible for the final nominations in the International Feature Film category at the Oscars 2026. Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, Homebound has been shortlisted for consideration in the 98th Academy Awards under the Best International Feature Film category.

Homebound Shortlisted For Best International Feature Film At Oscars 2026

On Tuesday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the shortlists across 12 categories. In the international feature film category, 15 films have progressed to the next stage, with the final five nominations to be announced later. Karan Johar expressed his overwhelming emotions, admitting he finds it difficult to put his feelings into words at this moment.

Other Oscars 2026 Best Feature Film Shortlist

• Belén – Argentina
• The Secret Agent – Brazil
• It Was Just an Accident – France
• Sound of Falling – Germany
• The President’s Cake – Iraq
• Kokuho – Japan
• All That’s Left of You – Jordan
• Sentimental Value – Norway
• Palestine 36 – Palestine
• No Other Choice – South Korea
• Sirât – Spain
• Late Shift – Switzerland
• Left-Handed Girl – Taiwan
• The Voice of Hind Rajab – Tunisia

The final nominations will be determined in the upcoming weeks, with the official announcement scheduled for January 22, 2026. The 98th Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 15, 2026. Comedian Conan O’Brien will return as host for the event.

Karan Johar’s Excitement

The news of Homebound making it to the shortlist was shared by Dharma Movies on their official social media handles. They posted the film’s poster with the message: “Homebound has been shortlisted for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards. We’re deeply grateful for the extraordinary love and support from around the world.”

Karan’s Message

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Karan Johar, who has championed the film, took to Instagram to reflect on its journey. He thanked the team and expressed his pride. “I can’t fully express how proud, elated, and over the moon I feel about the journey of #HOMEBOUND… all of us at @dharmamovies are privileged to have this important film in our filmography,” Johar wrote.

He further added, “Thank you @neeraj.ghaywan for turning our dreams into reality… from Cannes to the Oscar shortlist, this has been such an overwhelming experience! Love to the entire cast, crew, and everyone involved in this very special film!!!!!!!!! Upwards and onwards…….. #HOMEBOUND streaming now on @netflix_in.”

About Homebound

Homebound chronicles the lives of childhood friends Shoaib (Ishaan Khatter) and Chandan (Vishal Jethwa). Their shared aspiration to join the police force influences their paths. Janhvi Kapoor brings emotional depth to the story. It explores themes of friendship, duty, and the pressures faced by young India. The film debuted on Netflix on November 21 and has garnered significant acclaim across various film festivals and awards.

It was produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra, with co-producers Marijke deSouza and Melita Toscan Du Plantier. The film also features executive production by Martin Scorsese and Pravin Khairnar. Having premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, Homebound is inspired by journalist Basharat Peer’s article Taking Amrit Home. It is also known as A Friendship, a Pandemic and a Death Beside the Highway.

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Also Read: Karan Johar Expresses Gratitude To ‘Bhai’ Shah Rukh Khan For Praising Homebound; Says, “It Means The World To Me”

Akankshya Mukherjee

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