Indian cinema has taken an impressive progress on the international film stage by releasing two homegrown films — Kantara The Legend Legend Chapter One as well as Tanvi The Best that have secured places on the highly coveted list of eligibility to be considered for consideration in the Best Picture category at the coming 99th Academy Awards, scheduled for 2026. The announcement follows the publication an official listing of feature films released by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) that marks a significant accomplishment for Indian filmmakers who are striving to gain recognition internationally.
The Academy’s list is an initial grouping of films that have met the strict requirements for eligibility, putting them in the running for one of the most coveted cinema honors. The eligibility criteria for the Best Picture category requires films to be able to pass a series of requirements that go beyond the basic entry requirements used for other categories, demonstrating the Academy’s goal of providing the most diverse and competitive collection of world cinema.
According to AMPAS guidelines, films that are included on the Best Picture eligibility list must not just have a confirmed theater presence, they must have specific representational and procedural processes. This includes a requirement for a theatre run in at minimum 10, of the 50 most popular U.S. markets within 45 days of the release date and completion of an Academy Representation and Inclusion Standards entry (RAISE) document, and compliance with at minimum two of the four Academy inclusive standards. These inclusion standards concern the representation of off-screen and on-screen characters as well as opportunities that reflect the evolving industry expectations of diversity and inclusion.
The Academy’s decision to publish the eligibility list earlierahead of the announcement of nominations scheduled for January 22nd 2026 — permits viewers and industry experts to evaluate the films that are that are in contention for consideration for the Best Picture category. In all Oscar categories which include Best Documentary, Best Animated Feature as well as Best International Feature Film, the total number of 317 movies were able to meet the criteria in the 1998 Academy Awards, but only 201 are eligible to be eligible for Best Picture consideration under the Academy’s additional criteria.
Kantara The Legend Chapter 1 which was produced in collaboration with Hombale Films, stands out as an important Indian competition. This film serves as a prequel the well-known Kantara (2022) as well as delve into the cultural and historical origins that underlie Daiva religion within the Tulunadu region of India. Produced by and featuring Rishab Shetty the story centers around Berme the devoted protector to the Kantara forest and the tribal communities that live there, when he faces threats to the forest and its culture. The film’s rich mix of spirituality, folklore, along with action-packed scenes, has been a hit with the public, resulting in its commercial success as well as the cultural impact.
Alongside its artistic accomplishments, Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1 fulfilled the Academy’s requirements for eligibility by successfully completing the required screenings and submissions to form and allowing it to be judged alongside films from Hollywood as well as other cinemas that are a major force. For the film’s creators and their supporters, this selection highlights the international appeal and the competitiveness of Indian storytelling on the international stage.
The second Indian title to be added to the list of eligibility, Tanvi The Great has a unique but equally captivating cinematic ambition. Produced by veteran actress Anupam Kher The film follows the life through the life of Tanvi Raina, an aspiring young girl who is on the autism spectrum who has a strong desire for enlisting in the Indian Army, inspired by the legacy of her deceased father. The come-of-age film explores themes of perseverance aspiration, aspiration, and family influence, while highlighting subtle representations of neurodiversity that are prevalent in the current Indian film.
Tanvi The Great boasts a strong ensemble cast, which includes Shubhangi as the main character with appearances from Anupam Kher Jackie Shroff, Boman Irani along with Karan Tacker in support roles. The emotional story and deep character development have attracted attention from the domestic markets and is now poised to be evaluated globally via the review process.
The awarding of Tanvi The Great on the Best Picture eligibility list coincides with the film’s commercial milestone, which was 100 consecutive days of theaters which was hailed by the film’s crew and cast as a testimony to the audience’s participation and the resonance of the story. The announcement of this milestone was made public. Anupam Kher highlighted the film’s message of optimism and perseverance, further enhancing the film’s appeal to Indian audience.
Industry analysts and commentators have observed that Indian films that enter at this point in the Oscars race follow different routes. In contrast to those in the Best International Feature Film category, which requires only one official entry from each country and the Best Picture category imposes no limitations based on nationality. This means that multiple films from the same country, provided they meet the Academy’s requirements to be eligible for nominations. This structure has allowed numerous Indian productions to compete for Best Picture eligibility independently of the official submission to this International Feature slot.
The 2026 Oscars cycle The official entry for India for the Best International Feature Film category is Homebound which was produced by Neeraj Ghaywan and has already garnered a lot of recognition for securing a spot in the films shortlisted to win the award. This distinction highlights the diverse strategies Indian cinema has employed to gain more recognition in various Academy Award categories.
Beyond the two films, many other Indian films have been granted the right to be on list of contenders through different submission processes. According to reports, additional films like Mahavatar Narsimha, Tourist Family as well as Sister Midnight have been accepted into this year’s Best Picture category, further increasing the representation of India on the Academy’s eligibility list. These films cover a wide range of genres and languages as well as storytelling traditions, further enhancing the diversity of India’s cinematic scene and its global recognition.
Mahavatar Narsimha describes itself as a sweeping devotional action movie that is an integral part of a larger cinematic universe. Tourist Family and Sister Midnight contribute to the narrative through distinct themes. In total, these films show the increasing ambitions for Indian filmmakers to put their work on the international scene, where critical acclaim and public appreciation coincide with the award-season.
The Academy’s eligibility announcement is a formal step which precedes formal nomination announcements that will decide the final list of films that will be competing for awards during the ceremony in itself. In in the Best Picture category, only certain films will be named as nominees when the Academy’s voting process is completed. The nominations will be announced at the beginning of the season of awards, thereby making way for heightened anticipation and promotional efforts from film and studios.
Inclusion of Indian films on the Best Picture eligibility list reflects the global trends in cinema, where the work of filmmakers that isn’t Western has received critical acclaim and acclaim. Indian cinema’s diverse production environment that includes mainstream blockbusters as well as regional films and independent projects is continuing to expand its presence throughout international festivals and distribution networks along with awards competitions. This development is in line with changes in the industry that emphasize the inclusion of diverse cultures and diversity in representation of cinema.
Insiders in the film industry say the eligibility requirement is an essential initial stage during an Oscars process, however, getting nominations will require a subsequent campaign strategy and a good reputation in the eyes of Academy voters. For films for the Best Picture category, campaigns typically consist of specific screenings, media engagement and contact with industry professionals to increase awareness and support throughout the period of voting.
The road to Kantara A Legend Part 1. as well as Tanvi The Great is continuing beyond the eligibility announcement, as they wait for possible nomination results. If chosen as official nominees, they would be part of a prestigious shortlist which encompasses all cinema genres and showcases the creative achievements of filmmakers from around the globe.
The presence of Indian films on the list of eligible films does not just highlight individual creative achievements, but also adds to the larger story of Indian cinema’s inclusion within the worldwide awards system. Industry professionals have expressed their hope that a continuation of participation in this manner will draw more attention to India’s cinematic productions, increase international collaborations, and promote cross-border collaborations for future films.
With Oscars nominations due to be announced at the beginning of January in 2026. film industry — both in India and around the world will be watching developments with keen interest. The inclusion of Kantara The Story of a Legend chapter 1 along with Tanvi The Great in the list of films that are eligible to be considered for Best Picture consideration underscores the rising aspiration of Indian film to compete at the highest levels of international recognition for films.
The awards show gets underway the film industry in general will examine how these Indian entries perform against the fierce competition, and what the implications that their performance could have for the development of Indian filmmaking internationally.
