Celebrated filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan was present at a special press conference on Monday to mark a proud moment for Indian cinema: Homebound has officially been selected as India’s entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2026 Academy Awards. Ghaywan, who is the director of the film, expressed both awe and gratitude at the recognition, calling the moment “unreal, humbling, and historic.”
“It’s been two days since the nomination and we’re still in disbelief,” Ghaywan shared. “We are very, very thrilled and deeply honoured. This film is rooted in the heartland of India, in the lives and struggles of everyday people. It's a story that reminds us of our shared humanity, urging us to look beyond differences. Taking this message to a global stage is nothing short of a dream.
Despite the international acclaim Homebound has already garnered having premiered at Cannes and screened at prestigious festivals in Toronto and Melbourne—Ghaywan emphasized that releasing the film in India holds unmatched emotional significance for him.
“We’ve represented the film across the world and we were super thrilled for all the acclaim that we have got around the world but personally for me being Homebound for India—is the biggest, biggest thing. It can not be matched with anything else,” he said. “We’ve made this film for our country, we have made this film with absolute authenticity and integrity, and I hope it shows here and people appreciate it. “
“We’re so excited to see how people in India respond to it on 26th September. This film is for them.”
Homebound is a 2025 Indian Hindi-language drama film written and directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, inspired by a 2020 New York Times article by Basharat Peer. The film stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, and follows the journey of two childhood friends striving to clear the national police examination, navigating personal and societal challenges along the way.
It is set to release in cinemas across India on 26th September 2025.