Mumbai Mumbai Homebound the Hindi-language drama produced by Neeraj Ghaywan and made under the auspices of Dharma Productions, has been officially selected to be a finalist in the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards (Oscars 2026) and is a landmark moment for Indian cinema on the world stage.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) announced on 16 December 2025 that Homebound is one of 15 films from around the world which have made it towards the final round of votes for nominations for the Best International Feature Film category. The shortlisted films were chosen from a collection of entries from the 86 states and territories.
Homebound‘s progress within the Oscar race has it ranked among international candidates vying for one of the world’s most prestigious awards. With the final nominations in the category to be announced the Tuesday, January 22, 2026 prior to the awards ceremony scheduled to take place on the 15th of March in 2026 in Los Angeles.
Film’s Journey and Festival Recognition
Written by Neeraj Ghaywan, Homebound stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor. The plot, that is based on real events is about two childhood friends from northern India with a common goal to become policemen converges with caste, religion and socio-economic inequality, and systemic racism. The plot of the film was inspired by the journalist Basharat Peer’s 2020 essay “Taking Amrit to Home.
Prior to its Oscar shortlist nomination, Homebound garnered the attention of critics at major international film festivals. The film premiered within the Un Certain Regard section at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, which was reportedly greeted with an nine-minute standing applause at the end of its screening. The film also participated in the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival and won an International People’s Choice Award as the second-placed film which added to the growing appreciation for the film.
Industry and Creative Team Reactions
Its announcement on the Oscar shortlist has prompted responses from industry leaders and the team behind Homebound. Karan Johar, the producer on the film posted on social media to declare his feelings of being “proud to be elated, happy and thrilled” at the film’s steady path from festival recognition to an Oscar place in contention, while highlighting the film as a significant and personal project in his catalogue of production.
Director Neeraj Ghaywan, the director of the film, expressed gratitude for the worldwide recognition in a statement, recognizing the broad support for the film across the globe. Cast members like Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa as well as Janhvi Kapoor have also expressed their opinions in expressing their joy and satisfaction with the film’s development towards Oscar nomination status.
Domestic and Global Reception
The shortlist from around the world has created an immense amount of excitement for audiences and film professionals too. The online reaction shows an overwhelming appreciation of Homebound‘s story and depth of thematics with many commenting on how the movie “deserves to be awarded” in addition to pointing out the wide appeal of its story.
In India the achievement of the film was hailed as a significant achievement in the field of Indian cinema, thereby increasing its status in the Academy Awards platform. Many prominent personalities and their viewers have recognized the film’s‘s inclusion in the other contenders for the Oscars as a landmark for the country’s film industry.
Production and Creative Details
Homebound is made by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, and Apoorva Mehta. Additional production credits that include Marijke deSouza as well as Melita Toscan Plantier. Martin Scorsese, the well-known Hollywood director, is an executive producer and contributes to the project’s editing and editing process. His contribution is acknowledged by the team of creatives as crucial to the production’s progress.
The soundtrack and the dialogues of the film incorporate the efforts of a variety of contributors, and scores and music elements that are designed to enhance the narrative and emotional contours of the narrative. Editing and cinematography have been rewarded with recognition for their contribution to portraying the film’s themes with authenticity in the visuals.
Narrative and Thematic Context
The plot of Homebound follows Shoaib (Ishaan Khatter) and Chandan (Vishal Jethwa) and their friendship is strained due to personal and institutional issues. The pursuit of a police career is depicted as a metaphor of respect as well as ambition and obstacles that individuals face when who are navigating the social and economic abyss. The film’s exploration of societal norms, identity and shared experience is what has led to its critical acclaim and the festival’s popularity.
This film has also been available across a variety of digital platforms around the world, which is currently streaming on Netflix after the release of the film in theaters, which allows worldwide audiences to enjoy the story prior to this year’s Oscars cycle.
Oscar Nomination Process
In order to be eligible for the final nomination consideration for consideration in the Best International Feature Film category The Academy’s shortlist of 15 films will go through another round of vote among Academy members. The films with the highest amount of votes will officially be nominated in the early 2026 timeframe. Homebound must be able to secure at least one nomination slot in order to be considered for Oscar Award. Academy Award itself.
The 98th Academy Awards will be held on 15 March 2026 in Los Angeles, where winners across all categories which include Best International Feature Film, will be announced.
Homebound‘s advancement throughout the Oscars selection process demonstrates the continued global potential of Indian cinema and its capacity to deeply engage with universal human experience through local stories.
