Homebound out of Oscars! India's official entry misses final international feature list

The films that secured nominations in the category are: The Secret Agent (Brazil), It Was Just An Accident (France), Sentimental Value (Norway), Sirat (Spain), and The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia).

Earlier, Homebound had featured in the Oscar shortlist, which included titles from 15 countries such as Argentina’s Belen, Germany’s Sound of Falling, Japan’s Kokuho, Iraq’s The President’s Cake, South Korea’s No Other Choice, and Switzerland’s Late Shift, among others.

Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, Homebound was released in Indian theatres on September 26, 2025.

The film, starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, is set almost entirely within a single location during a lockdown-like crisis.

It explores complex emotional dynamics within a dysfunctional family, touching on themes of trauma, redemption, and buried secrets.

Speaking recently about the Oscar campaign, Karan Johar, who produced the film, said that mounting a serious awards push requires significant financial investment.

He added that his business partner, Adar Poonawalla, viewed the campaign as an “opportunity” rather than an expense and was unconcerned about the costs involved.

Despite missing out on a final nomination, Homebound’s presence on the Oscar shortlist marked a notable moment for contemporary Indian cinema on the global stage.