'Homebound' Achieves Oscar Shortlist, Ignites India's Hopes for International Feature

• Indian film 'Homebound', directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, has been shortlisted for the Best International Feature Film category at Oscars 2026.
• The film is among 15 global entries, competing with films like Argentina's 'Belén' and France's 'It Was Just an Accident'.
• It portrays the struggle of two North Indian friends to become police officers, testing their friendship amidst the caste system and a pandemic.
• Stars Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, Vishal Jethwa; produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, Somen Mishra, with Martin Scorsese as Executive Producer.
• Premiered at Cannes, Toronto, and Melbourne film festivals; lead actor Ishaan Khatter is actively promoting the film in the US.

Why It Matters: 'Homebound's' Oscar shortlisting marks a significant global recognition for Indian cinema.