Indian film ‘Homebound’ out of Oscar 2026 nomination race

The Indian feature film ‘Homebound’ has failed to secure a nomination in the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards. The nominations were announced on Thursday.

With the announcement, ‘Homebound’ is now officially out of the Oscar race. The films nominated in the category are ‘The Secret Agent’, ‘It Was Just an Accident’, ‘Sentimental Value’, ‘Sirat’ and ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’.

Had it made the final list, ‘Homebound’ would have been the first Indian film in 25 years since  ‘Lagaan’ (2001) to receive a nomination in the category.

Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, the film stars Vishal Jethwa and Ishaan Khatter in the lead roles, with Janhvi Kapoor in a key supporting role. It is produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions and has celebrated filmmaker Martin Scorsese attached as an executive producer.

 ‘Homebound’ tells the story of two childhood friends from a village in north India — Shoaib and Chandan — who place their hopes on clearing the police recruitment examination, believing the uniform will offer dignity and a way to challenge caste-based discrimination. When the recruitment process is stalled, their lives are thrown into turmoil. As desperation mounts, fractures emerge in their friendship, laying bare the harsh realities of class, caste and survival.

Forced to seek work at a factory far from home, the duo face fresh upheaval when a pandemic-induced lockdown disrupts their lives once again, compelling them to find their way back home.