India’s film industry has a new reason to celebrate: Karan Johar’s “Homebound” just became the country’s official entry for the Oscars 2026 in the Best International Feature category. This Bollywood drama, produced by Dharma Productions, stars rising talents Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter, and Vishal Jethwa.
Director Neeraj Ghaywan shared insights during a recent press conference about why he chose these stars for the project. “We knew we had a powerful story,” Ghaywan said. “It could’ve wowed festival crowds at places like Cannes or TIFF. But to really connect with everyday audiences, we needed stars like Janhvi, Ishaan, and Vishal to help spread the word.” He quickly added that the story always takes center stage in any film, no matter the star power.
The announcement sparked a wave of excitement online. Fans and fellow Bollywood celebrities flooded social media with congratulations for the “Homebound” team. Janhvi Kapoor, one of the leads, posted her own heartfelt message, calling the entire experience a dream. “Every part of this film—the journey, the people, what the story means—has been so personal for our team,” she wrote. “I’ve felt grateful at every step, and that journey was its own reward.”
Kapoor went on to praise director Neeraj Ghaywan, producer Karan Johar, co-star Vishal Jethwa, and Ishaan Khatter. “This movie and its path are all about hope, in ways you might not expect,” she added, teasing the cinema release on September 26.
“Homebound” already made waves internationally. It premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival in 2025, earning a nine-minute standing ovation from the crowd. The film also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), building buzz ahead of its Oscars journey.
With its strong storytelling and fresh faces from Bollywood, “Homebound” positions India as a contender in the global spotlight once more. Keep an eye on this one as awards season heats up.
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