India’s official entry Homebound failed to secure a nomination at the 98th Academy Awards, falling short in the Best International Feature Film category despite making it to the Oscars shortlist. The film, which had emerged as one of India’s strongest contenders this year, exited the race when the final nominations were announced on January 22.
The snub comes as a disappointment, particularly given the film’s critical acclaim and its earlier recognition by the Academy. Homebound was among the 15 films shortlisted from a pool of 89 official entries submitted by countries worldwide, a significant achievement in itself, but one that ultimately did not translate into a nomination.
The Oscars shortlist represents the penultimate stage in the awards race. All shortlisted films are viewed and voted on by Academy members, making the cut a marker of serious international recognition. Homebound stood alongside acclaimed global titles such as Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just an Accident (France) and Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice (South Korea), underscoring the competitiveness of the category.
The films that made it to the final cut for International Feature Film are The Secret Agent, It Was Just An Accident, Sentimental Value, Sirat, and The Voice Of Hind Rajab.
India’s long and difficult history at the Oscars
India’s history with the Best International Feature Film category has been a sparse one. In the Academy Awards’ 98-year history, only four Indian films have reached the shortlist, and just three, Mother India (1957), Salaam Bombay! (1988), and Lagaan (2002)have gone on to secure final nominations. More recently, Pan Nalin’s Last Film Show made the shortlist in 2021 but, like Homeboundfailed to progress further.
The outcome once again highlights how unforgiving the International Feature Film race can be, with limited slots and an increasingly strong field of global cinema. While India continues to make inroads, most notably with RRR’s Naatu Naatu winning Best Original Song, an Oscar win in a film category remains elusive.
About Homebound
Starring Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter, and Vishal Jethwa, Homebound is deeply rooted in the Indian socio-political landscape. Directed by Ghaywan and produced by Karan Johar, the film confronts caste and religion-based discrimination through the story of two best friends from the same village striving to carve out identities in an unequal system. Themes of systemic injustice, resilience, and hope run through the narrative, anchored by understated performances and Ghaywan’s restrained storytelling.
For Homeboundthe Oscars snub may sting, but its shortlist presence, Cannes reception, and critical appreciation mark it as a film that travelled far, even if not far enough this time.
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