Neeraj Ghaywan directorial misses final cut for Academy Awards
Hopes for an Indian victory at the upcoming Academy Awards have come to an end this year. Homebound, India’s official submission for the Oscars 2026, has officially exited the competition. Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, the film failed to secure a nomination in the prestigious Best International Feature Film category.
Expectations were high after the movie successfully made it to the Academy’s initial 15-title shortlist. However, when the final five nominees were announced on January 22, the Indian entry was missing from the list.
Global Competitors Take the Lead
While India bows out, five other nations have moved forward in the race. The final nominees for the International Feature Film category are The Secret Agent (Brazil), It Was Just an Accident (France), Sentimental Value (Norway), Sirat (Spain), and The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia).
A Story of Friendship and Struggle
Despite missing the nomination, Homebound has garnered significant praise for its gripping narrative. Starring Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa in lead roles, with a pivotal appearance by Janhvi Kapoor, the film tells a raw story of two childhood friends from northern India. They pursue careers in the police force hoping for a better life, only to face severe structural prejudice and desperation.
The screenplay draws inspiration from a New York Times article by journalist Basharat Peer titled "Taking Amrit Home," which focused on the migrant crisis during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Backed by Passion
The campaign for Homebound was aggressively supported by Dharma Productions. Producer Karan Johar had previously described the Oscar campaign process as a "bottomless pit" of effort and resources but emphasized that the team pursued it as a passion project. Before its Oscar journey, the film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section, where it received a standing ovation.
Even without the final nomination, making the shortlist keeps Neeraj Ghaywan and the cast in the global spotlight. The 98th Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for March 15, with Conan O’Brien serving as host.
