Mumbai: The announcement was made as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences unveiled its shortlist across 12 categories for the 2026 Oscars.

The shortlist spans categories including International Feature Film, Cinematography, Documentary Feature and Short Film, Animated Short Film, Casting, Makeup and Hairstyling, Original Score, Original Song, Sound and Visual Effects. Homebound now stands among 15 global contenders vying for a final nomination.

Starring Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa, Homebound is rooted in the Indian social landscape and confronts caste- and religion-based discrimination. The film follows the journey of two best friends from the same village as they attempt to carve out identities for themselves, while grappling with systemic inequality, resilience and hope. Reacting to the news, producer Karan Johar shared an emotional note, calling the moment deeply personal and significant for the team behind the film.

In the Best International Feature Film race, Homebound joins an acclaimed international lineup that includes Argentina’s Belen, Brazil’s The Secret Agent, France’s It Was Just an Accident by Jafar Panahi, Germany’s Sound of Falling, Iraq’s The President’s Cake, Japan’s Kokuho, Jordan’s All That’s Left of You, Norway’s Sentimental Value, Palestine’s Palestine 36, South Korea’s No Other Choice by Park Chan-wook, Spain’s Sirat, Switzerland’s Late Shift, Taiwan’s Left-Handed Girl and Tunisia’s The Voice of Hind Rajab.

The shortlist marks the penultimate stage in the Oscars race. Over the next month, Academy members will view and vote on the shortlisted films before final nominations are announced. From these 15 titles, only a handful will make it to the final nominee list.

Historically, the milestone is significant for Indian cinema. In the Academy’s 98-year history, only four Indian films have reached the shortlist in the Best International Feature Film category, and just three have secured final nominations—Mehboob Khan’s Mother India (1957), Mira Nair’s Salaam Bombay! (1988) and Ashutosh Gowariker’s Lagaan (2002). Pan Nalin’s Gujarati film Last Film Show made the shortlist in 2021 but did not advance further. If Homebound earns a final nomination, it will become only the fourth Indian film to achieve the feat.

India is yet to win an Oscar in a film category. A landmark moment came in 2023 when RRR’s Naatu Naatu won Best Original Song, marking the country’s first major commercial Oscar win.