Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor starrer shortlisted for the final Oscar nomination 2026

Director Neeraj Ghaywan's "Homebound," featuring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, has achieved a significant milestone, being shortlisted for the 98th Academy Awards. The film is in contention for the Best International Feature Film category. The news has deeply moved Karan Johar, the filmmaker, who expressed his overwhelming emotions. He admitted that he was currently struggling to find the words to adequately convey his feelings regarding this remarkable achievement.

On Tuesday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the shortlists for twelve categories, generating excitement within the film industry. In the Best International Feature Film category, fifteen films have advanced to the next stage of consideration. These films will undergo further evaluation, with the final nominations being narrowed down to just five.

Other films nominated for Homebound

Alongside "Homebound," several other notable films have also been shortlisted. These include "Belén" from Argentina, "The Secret Agent" from Brazil, "It Was Just an Accident" representing France, "Sound of Falling" from Germany, "The President’s Cake" from Iraq, "Kokuho" from Japan, "All That’s Left of You" from Jordan, "Sentimental Value" from Norway, "Palestine 36" from Palestine, "No Other Choice" from South Korea, "Sirât" from Spain, "Late Shift" from Switzerland, "Left-Handed Girl" from Taiwan, and "The Voice of Hind Rajab" from Tunisia. The competition is fierce, setting the stage for an exciting awards season.

The final nominations for the shortlisted categories are set to be announced on January 22, 2026, following a period of deliberation in the coming weeks. The 98th Academy Awards ceremony, hosted by Conan O’Brien, is scheduled for March 15 of the same year, promising a night of celebration and recognition for the year's cinematic achievements.

Congratulations pour in for the film

Dharma Movies shared the exciting news of Homebound's" advancement in the Oscar race on their official handle. The post, accompanied by the film's poster, stated: "Homebound has been shortlisted for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards. We’re deeply grateful for the extraordinary love and support we’ve received from around the world.

Filmmaker Karan Johar, a key figure behind "Homebound," also took to Instagram to reflect on the film's journey, offering a heartfelt message to the entire team.

I am not sure I can articulate how proud, elated and over the moon I am with the journey of #HOMEBOUND… all of us @dharmamovies are privileged to have this proud and important film in our filmography, Karan wrote.

He added, Thank you @neeraj.ghaywan for making so many dreams of ours come true… from Cannes to being on the Oscar shortlist this has been such an overwhelming journey! Love to the entire cast and crew and teams of this special special film!!!!!!!!! Upwards and onwards…….. #HOMEBOUND streaming now on @netflix_in.

About Homebound

Homebound tells the story of Shoaib (Ishaan Khatter) and Chandan (Vishal Jethwa), childhood friends united by their aspiration to become police officers. The narrative, enriched by Janhvi Kapoor's performance, explores themes of friendship, commitment, and the challenges faced by young people in India.

Homebound premiered on Netflix on November 21, quickly garnering acclaim from film festivals and award shows. The film's production involved a team including Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, Somen Mishra, and co-producers Marijke deSouza and Melita Toscan Du Plantier. Notably, Martin Scorsese and Pravin Khairnar served as Executive Producers.

Following its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, Homebound was also showcased at the Toronto International Film Festival. The narrative draws inspiration from journalist Basharat Peer's article, "Taking Amrit Home," also known as "A Friendship, a Pandemic and a Death Beside the Highway," offering a poignant reflection on its source material.

Other films nominated for Oscars

The shortlist also features a diverse selection of films: "Belen" from Argentina, "The Secret Agent" from Brazil, "It Was Just an Accident" from France, "Sound of Falling" from Germany, "The President's Cake" from Iraq, "Kokuho" from Japan, "All That's Left of You" from Jordan, "Sentimental Value" from Norway, "Palestine 36" from Palestine, "No Other Choice" from South Korea, "Sirat" from Spain, "Late Shift" from Switzerland, "Left-Handed Girl" from Taiwan, and "The Voice of Hind Rajab" from Tunisia.