Meet The Indian Film That Shockingly Missed Oscars Nomination!

The Academy has officially announced the list of the nominations for the upcoming season and here’s a look at the Indian film that narrowly missed out on this opportunity.

India’s official Oscar entry Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, failed to secure a nomination in the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards. The final list of nominees was announced on January 22, 2026, ending the film’s Oscar journey despite strong expectations.

Homebound had earlier made it to the Academy’s shortlist of 15 films, which had raised hopes of India finally returning to the category after more than two decades, with Lagaan being the last nominated film in 2002.

Starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor, Homebound received wide appreciation on the international festival circuit. The film premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival and was praised for its sensitive storytelling, performances and emotional depth. Many critics believed it had the potential to go all the way at the Oscars.

However, the final nominations featured films from Brazil, France, Norway, Spain and Tunisia, highlighting the intense global competition this year. The absence of Homebound from the final list led to disappointment among fans and film lovers in India.

Producer Karan Johar reacted by expressing pride in the film and its global journey, stating that the team achieved something meaningful despite missing the nomination. Even without the Oscar nod, Homebound continues to be recognised as an important and impactful film.