- By Swati Singh
- Sat, 20 Sep 2025 11:52 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Following Homebound’s win at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the film, featuring Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor and Vishal Jethwa, has now been selected as India’s official submission for the Oscars, sparking widespread excitement among the cast and crew. The team, including the film’s makers and actors, has been sharing their reactions to the milestone, expressing immense pride and joy over the recognition. Among them, lead actors Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa have been particularly ecstatic, unable to contain their celebration over the honour.
Vishal Jethwa shared a clip from his celebration with Ishaan Khatter and wrote, "Oscarsssssss."
The Film Federation of India, an independent body responsible for selecting the country’s official entry, announced on Friday that Homebound would represent India at the Oscars, according to news agency PTI. The film will now compete with entries from over a hundred countries, aiming first for a nomination and ultimately for the Best International Feature Film award next year.
Historically, only three Indian films—Mother India, Salaam Bombay and Lagaan—have been nominated in this category, but none have won. India’s only Oscar wins have come in the open categories, including two awards for RRR in 2023.
About Homebound: Homebound is a 2025 Indian Hindi-language drama film directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta and Somen Mishra under the banner of Dharma Productions. The film is based on a 2020 New York Times article by Basharat Peer and stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor. It tells the story of two childhood friends striving to clear the national police exam, exploring their struggles, ambitions, and the challenges they face along the way.
The film had its premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section on 21 May 2025, receiving attention and acclaim from international audiences. Homebound is scheduled for a theatrical release on September 26, 2025, ahead of its official screening across India.