India’s official entry for the 2026 Academy Awards has been announced, and it’s the much-awaited Hindi film ‘Homebound’.
Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, under the production of Karan Johar and Adar Poonawalla, the movie stars Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter, and Vishal Jethwa. It will represent the country in the prestigious Best International Feature Film category at the Oscars.
The announcement was made by N Chandra, chairperson of the selection committee, during a press conference in Kolkata. Chandra revealed that a total of 24 films across different Indian languages competed before they finalized ‘Homebound’.
“It was a very tough decision. Each film had its own charm and touched people’s hearts,” he said. He added, “We were not just judges but coaches, looking for films that have truly made an impact.”
The 12-member committee included producers, directors, writers, editors, and journalists.
Also Read: ‘Homebound’ gets India release date after winning applause at global film festivals
‘Homebound’ tells the story of two childhood friends from a small village in North India who dream of joining the police force. This is a job that promises them an ounce of respect and dignity. The film goes on to explore their journey and struggles that drives them to chase a better future.
The film has already made buzz and waves on the international festival circuit. It premiered on 21 May 2025 at the 78th Cannes Film Festival in the ‘Un Certain Regard’ section.
Following Cannes, it also featured at the Toronto International Film Festival in a Gala Presentation on 10 September 2025 and closed the Melbourne International Film Festival in August 2025.
The official trailer for ‘Homebound’ came out on 17 September 2025. The film is going to hit theatres on 26 September 2025.