Neeraj Ghaywan’s film Homebound, featuring Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa, has achieved the distinction of being the fifth Indian film shortlisted for the Best International Feature category at the Academy Awards. Selected as India’s official entry in September, it successfully competed against 86 global films to secure a spot in the top 15 announced on Tuesday.
Qualifying for the shortlist in the Best International Feature category is a significant achievement, as Academy members must watch all contenders to vote. This category’s competition is vast, with entries from numerous countries, including India’s official entry alongside films like Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just An Accident (France) and Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice (South Korea).
As per the Film Federation of India, only four films, including Mehboob Khan’s Mother India (1957), have made it to the Oscars shortlist prior to Homebound. Mother India was India’s first official entry to the Oscars and reached the final Best International Feature category but did not win.
It took 30 years for an Indian film to be nominated at the Academy Awards for the second time, with Mira Nair’s Salaam Bombay! in 1988. Fourteen years later, Ashutosh Gowariker’s Lagaan, featuring Aamir Khan, also reached the final category. The only Indian entry to make the shortlist but not the main category is Pan Nalin’s 2021 film Last Film Show.
Karan Johar expressed his pride over the film Homebound, produced by Dharma Productions, sharing his excitement on Instagram about its journey from Cannes to making the Oscar shortlist. Director Ghaywan also acknowledged the global support the film has received. However, despite the achievement of being in the top 15 for the Oscars, Homebound faces tough competition from notable films such as Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just An Accident, Park Chan-Wook’s No Other Choice, and Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value. India’s lack of wins in the Best International Feature category and its last nomination over two decades ago add to the challenges ahead.
