Highlights:
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Homebound not nominated for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars 2026
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India’s last Oscar nomination in this category was Lagaan in 2002
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Film follows two friends facing systemic discrimination during the COVID-19 lockdown
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Produced by Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, and Adar Poonawalla under Dharma Productions
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Makers deny legal plagiarism claims, calling them “baseless and unfounded”
India’s hopes at the Oscar ceremony came to an end on Tuesday after Homebound failed to secure a nomination for Best International Feature Film at the Oscars 2026. The announcement means India will continue its wait for a nomination in the category, with the last success dating back to 2002, when Aamir Khan-starrer Lagaan earned a historic nod.
Homebound was selected as India’s official entry for the Oscar race and was widely discussed in industry circles for its subject matter and international positioning. However, it did not make the final list of nominees announced at the 98th Oscar Nominations event held at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.
Oscar Campaign and India’s Missed Chance
The Oscar campaign for Homebound marked another attempt by Indian cinema to gain recognition from the Academy in the international feature category. Despite strong domestic backing and international visibility, the film could not break into the final nominations, underscoring the challenges Indian films continue to face at the Oscars.
This year’s shortlisted films for Best International Feature Film include The Secret Agent (Brazil), It Was Just an Accident (France), Sentimental Value (Norway), Sirât (Spain), and The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia). The absence of Homebound from the list effectively ended India’s Oscar journey for 2026.
Oscar Hope Homebound: Story and Context
Produced by Dharma Productions, Homebound is backed by Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, and Adar Poonawalla. The film is based on a 2020 New York Times article by journalist Basharat Peer. Set during the COVID-19 lockdown, the narrative follows two friends, Shoaib and Chandan, who come from marginalized communities and are forced to confront systemic discrimination and economic collapse after losing their livelihoods.
As the lockdown intensifies their struggles, the story traces their uncertainty, displacement, and eventual attempt to return home. The film’s focus on social inequity and lived experiences placed it among India’s more grounded Oscar submissions in recent years.
The lead roles are played by Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa, whose performances center on survival and resilience rather than spectacle. Industry observers viewed Homebound as a serious, issue-driven entry aligned with themes often recognized by the Oscar jury, making its omission notable.
Oscar Race and Karan Johar’s Comments
Speaking earlier about the Oscar campaign process, Karan Johar had openly addressed the scale and complexity involved. He described the Oscar push as a “bottomless pit” and an “uphill task,” pointing to the extensive investment required for international screenings, publicity campaigns, and sustained media engagement.
“It was never a money-making exercise,” Johar said, underlining that Homebound was driven by creative intent and credibility rather than commercial returns. His comments reflected a broader industry acknowledgment that competing in the Oscar ecosystem requires resources beyond filmmaking itself.
Oscar Controversy and Legal Claims
Ahead of its Oscar submission, Homebound also faced legal scrutiny. Journalist-turned-author Puja Changoiwala filed a lawsuit alleging that the film plagiarized her 2021 novel of the same name. In response, Dharma Productions issued a statement rejecting the claims.
The producers described the allegations as “baseless and unfounded,” clarifying that Homebound is an officially licensed adaptation of Basharat Peer’s article, with all legal rights secured and proper credit given. The matter did not impact the film’s eligibility for the Oscar race, according to the makers.
Oscar 2026 and What Lies Ahead
While missing out on an Oscar nomination is a setback, Homebound has already drawn international attention as India’s official entry. Its selection highlights a continued shift toward socially rooted storytelling aimed at global audiences.
The Oscars 2026 will take place on March 16, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, with Conan O’Brien set to host the ceremony. Although India’s Oscar bid did not succeed this year, the journey of Homebound reflects the growing ambition of Indian filmmakers to engage with global platforms and may inform stronger campaigns in the years ahead.
