EXCLUSIVE: Akriti Singh REACTS To Ishaan Khattar, Vishal Jethwa’s Homebound Being Shortlisted For Oscars 2026; Shares, “It Has A Lot Of Heart And Teaches Compassion”

Filmmaker and Broken But Beautiful actress Akriti Singh is all set to returns with her second feature film titled SKIBIDI – a word that changes meaning with every context. During a telephonic conversation about the comedy, we quizzed Akriti about many things, including India’s official Oscar 2026 entry, Homebound being shortlisted.

Written and directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, the drama is based on a New York Times article penned by Basharat Peer from 2020. Produced by Dharma Productions, the film stars Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa in lead roles as well as Janhvi Kapoor. Read on to know all Akriti had to say about the film making it closer to the Oscars and her views on such accomplishments motivating filmmakers to horn their skill more.

Akriti Singh Reacts To Homebound Being Shortlisted For Oscars 2026 

While exclusively talking to Akriti Singh we asked her her views about Homebound being shortlisted in the Best Foreign Language Film category. Answering us, she said, “It’s amazing. It’s awesome. I have not watched the film yet. I’m looking forward to watching it somehow.”

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She continued, “Everyone is saying… I mean, yesterday I was reading a friend’s thing (blog) on Insta or Facebook, I don’t remember…. But, he was also saying that the film had a lot of heart and it teaches a lot of compassion to people. I would love to watch it. And yeah, congratulations to them. It’s so amazing. It’s amazing.” She added, “I’m going to watch it. I will. Wow. This is so good. And you know, to have amazing films come out. Wow, this is so good. I’m so happy.”

Akkriti On Homebound’s Oscar Shortlisting Motivating Makers To Take Risks

During the same conversation, we also asked Akriti if films like Homebound – that received much love from critics and international recognition but failed at the domestic box office, should motivate filmmakers to continue making unconventional films in India. Answering us, she said, “Yes. Of course, of course. You know, all kinds of films should be made. We should not be making just one kind of cinema. Just to say this kind of films, there is no kind of film. Every film is different.”

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For the unversed, during a recent interview, Karan Johar spoke about the film’s box office failure despite positive critical reviews and how it hurt him. He was quoted saying, “Now, every decision has to be made with profitability in mind. We are a commercial enterprise first and foremost.I made ‘Homebound,’ which was critically acclaimed globally, but I can’t say I’ll make similar decisions in the future. I chose that project for growth, and growth comes from profit. I will always be passionate about art, but it’s equally important to be commercially viable.”

Akriti: Films Work Or They Don’t, No One Can Predict The Market

She continued, “For example, if Dhurandhar is doing so well, so you make another film which is kind of like Durandharan, that might not work because you know, kind of films don’t work. Films work or they don’t work, no one can predict the market. No one knows. What we know is our truth and the stories that we want to tell from our heart and we should keep trying to make different kinds of films. We have to evolve ourselves as directors”

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Talking about evolving as filmmakers, Akriti Singh stated, “So, for example, my last film was a drama. This one is an out-and-out comedy. But it is not in the service of anybody else, but in the service of the director that I am. I have to try different genres and figure out where I stand. I have to make the film that I feel like. Similarly, I think, yeah, that stands for everybody else. We have to make all genres of films. And we cannot decide what’s going to work and what’s not going to work, right?”

She added, “Yes. Yes. Yes. Or you are not acknowledging. I mean, yes, you’re right. Maybe we don’t know the audience’s taste, but we know our taste and we come from the same society, hence whatever is coming to us will be similar, in some way, to the taste of the audience. We have to be just honest to our own calling.”

About SKIBIDI

Akriti Singh’s SKIBIDI offers audiences a completely different experience – one sharper, quirkier, and deeply rooted in aamchi Mumbai’s everyday madness. The  film features a brilliant ensemble cast, led by theatre powerhouse Imraan Rasheed. Adding fresh energy to the project is Aryan Singh, who makes his feature film debut.

Together, the cast and crew deliver a comedy that is all humour and a lot more heart. Akriti Singh’s SKIBIDI celebrates masala comedy, friendships, and the energy that only the Mumbai city can bring. With its unconventional title, a strong ensemble, and Akriti Singh’s celebrated directorial voice, SKIBIDI is set to be one of the most exciting and refreshing comedy films of the upcoming slate.

For more news and updates from the entertainment world, stay tuned to Bollywood Bubble.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Broken But Beautiful Actress Akriti Singh Announces Her New Hindi Comedy Feature Film Skibidi

Grinell Jacinto

With nearly 10 years of experience, Grinell Esther Jacinto is the Desk Head of Bollywood Bubble. Her interests lie in everything that is kaleshi and she loves to dig deeper into the lives of B-town actors. She has a problem though – she loves horror films but will have chills the minute the theatres lights dims. She’s previously worked with Koimoi, UrbanAsian and SpotboyE.