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The Hindi movie 'Homebound' has been named arsenic India's authoritative introduction to the 2026 Academy Awards. The movie volition vie successful the Best International Feature category.The announcement was made connected Friday, September 19, by N Chandra successful Kolkata.
Addressing a property league successful Kolkata, Chandra said a full of 24 films successful antithetic languages were successful contention for representing the state astatine the Oscars. "It was a precise hard choice. These were films that touched the lives of people," helium said successful a study connected PTI."We were not judges but coaches. We were searching for players who person made their mark," helium added.The 12-member enactment committee comprised producers, directors, writers, editors and journalists.
About the film
The film, follows 2 puerility friends from a tiny colony successful North India who imagination of becoming constabulary officers, hoping the occupation volition bring them the respect they ne'er had. However, arsenic they travel person to their goal, unit and struggles make problems successful their friendship.
Success astatine Toronto Film Festival
This comes aft the film's lukewarm reception astatine the 50th variation of the Toronto Film Festival. The movie that was competing successful the TIFF People's Choice International Award, won the 2nd runner-up.
It was beaten by the Korean favourite 'No Other Choice' and 'Sentimental Value' which won the 1st runner-up.
Director Neeraj Ghaywan opens up astir the film
Speaking astatine the festival, manager Neeraj Ghaywan described 'Homebound' arsenic "a profoundly idiosyncratic communicative astir friendship, dignity, and survival. He said, "It's astir radical who are often unseen, and the quiescent spot they transportation successful a satellite that seldom pauses for them," said the director, adding that helium hopes the movie "helps america look closer-with empathy-and spot what we've been conditioned to ignore."
Martin Scorsese praises Homebound
In an authoritative enactment shared by the film's team, Martin Scorsese praised 'Homebound' anterior to its screening successful Cannes 2025 earlier this year."I person seen Neeraj's archetypal movie Masaan successful 2015 and I loved it, truthful erstwhile Melita Toscan du Plantier sent maine the task of his 2nd film, I was curious. I loved the story, the culture, and was consenting to help. Neeraj has made a beautifully crafted movie that's a important publication to Indian Cinema.
I americium gladsome the movie is an authoritative enactment astatine Un Certain Regard successful Cannes this year," Scorsese said.The movie received a 9-minute-long lasting ovation astatine the Cannes Film Festival 2025.
Producer Karan Johar's reaction
Following the film's occurrence astatine TIFF, Karan Johar expressed his gratitude successful an Instagram post. He wrote, “Always much peculiar erstwhile it’s the people’s choice…Homebound, our movie is simply a communicative we are each truthful so arrogant of and to spot it being loved, accepted and appreciated crossed the globe, crossed connection oregon immoderate barriers - it is surreal! A large convey you to @tiff_net for giving america the platform.”He past went connected to convey National Award-winning filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan for allowing him to beryllium a portion of “Homebound.” He added, "Congratulations to the full squad - this is lone the opening convey you @neeraj.ghaywan for allowing america to beryllium a portion of your labour of love."
Homebound acceptable for Indian theatrical release
The Neeraj Ghaywan directorial is acceptable to deed the theatres successful India connected September 26, 2025.
About the 98th Academy Awards
News of the film's introduction to the Oscars comes up of the submission deadline for International Feature Film category, which was slated for Wednesday, October 1, 2025. The Oscars Shortlists volition beryllium announced connected Tuesday, December 16, 2025, with the authoritative Oscars Nominations announcement slated for Thursday, January 22, 2026. The 98th Academy Awards volition instrumentality spot connected Sunday, March 15, 2026.
