In an important news, filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound is India’s official entry for the 2026 Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film. Since being released, the film has garnered rave reviews for its sensitive storytelling and serious themes, covering the social issues of our time. The selection committee’s choice demonstrates that India can appreciate movies that have depth, realism, and powerful storytelling over spectacle.
Beating Big-Budget Contenders
The selection has surprised almost everyone since Homebound was selected over serious contenders like Can’t Wait for Pushpa 2, The Bengal Files, and Kesari Chapter 2. However, these films, although popular, failed to make it to India’s Oscars. This selection reflects new priorities in recognizing the inherent humanity of cinema and a clear link to blockbuster films resonating in India (and worldwide) through original ‘content’. There is no better discriminator than the work of Neeraj Ghaywan, who is known for original films like Masaan and Geeli Pucchi – he has endeavored to construct narratives that cross borders.
What This Means for Indian Filmmaking
Choosing Homebound is a big win not just for Neeraj Ghaywan, but for independent Indian cinema as a whole. It demonstrates the global reach of stories that are personal, substantive, and comment on social issues and human relationships. This could encourage more filmmakers to prioritize documentary or more sprititual filmmaking as opposed to commercially-driven works. Should Homebound earn a nomination (or even a win), it could pave the way for more Indian filmmakers to participate in the global independent cinema conversation and help increase India’s representation at major platforms like the Academy Awards. click here for source
