Kantara, Tanvi The Great and Mahavatar Narasimha enter Oscars 2026 race

Kantara: Chapter 1 and Tanvi: The Great feature among the 201 films eligible for consideration in the Best Picture category, marking an independent push by Indian cinema on the global stage.

This comes even as Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound has been selected as India’s official submission to the 98th Academy Awards.

AMPAS recently unveiled the list of 201 feature films that have met the eligibility criteria and received direct qualification for the Best Picture race.

Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: Chapter 1 — the much-anticipated prequel to the 2022 blockbuster — has fulfilled the Academy’s requirements, making it eligible for consideration across categories, including Best Picture.

Directed by Anupam Kher and starring Shubhangi Dutt alongside the veteran actor, Tanvi: The Great has also secured a place on the eligibility list, signalling another strong international push for Indian storytelling.

Meanwhile, the animated film Mahavatar Narasimha has qualified for consideration in the Best Animated Feature Film category after meeting the Academy’s eligibility norms, including a qualifying theatrical run.

The film now stands alongside animated releases from across the world in the Oscars race.