- By Tanya Garg
- Fri, 09 Jan 2026 02:59 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Oscar 2026: Kantara: Chapter 1, Mahavatar Narsimha and Tanvi: The Great are among the 201 feature films that will be considered for the 98th Academy Awards. Anupam Kher starrer received extensive critical accolades throughout foreign circuits, while Kantara and Mahavatar, supported by Hombale Films, became major box office blockbusters and were praised for their cinematic scope, cultural rootedness, and storyline depth.
Kantara Chapter 1, Mahavatar Narsimha and Tanvi chose an independent route in their pursuit of international recognition, letting their work speak for itself on the global stage, even though Homebound is India's official Oscar submission this year.
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Kantara Chapter 1, Mahavatar Narsimha, and Tanvi The Great are now possible Oscar contenders after fulfilling all the prerequisites to be eligible for the Best Picture category. According to Variety, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) announced the 201 movies that have immediately qualified for the coveted Best Picture contest.
ALSO READ - Kantara Surpasses KGF, Baahubali To Become Most Profitable Multi-Part Franchise Of South Indian Cinema
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What Is Oscar Contention List?
The first round of eligibility for the Academy Awards is known as the Oscar contention list. Filmmakers who fit the Academy's requirements can now submit their films for review in a number of categories. In order for the film to be evaluated by Academy members for possible nomination, the process entails meeting eligibility conditions, paying the required fees, and formally submitting it.
The films that met all additional requirements in addition to those for general admission were eligible for Best Picture. This includes both theatrical performances and the completion of a private Academy Representation and Inclusion Standards Entry form. Additionally, the films had to meet at least two of the four Academy inclusion requirements and have a qualifying theatrical engagement in ten of the top 50 US markets within 45 days of their initial release in 2025.
For the unversed, Rishab Shetty's Kantara: Chapter 1 and Ashwin Kumar's Mahavatar Narasimha were enormous box office hits and won praise for their narratives. Anupam Kher made his directorial comeback with Tanvi The Great, 23 years after his first film, Om Jai Jagadish. The movie centres on Tanvi Raina, a 21-year-old autistic lady who wants to carry out her late father's wish to salute the flag in Siachen Glacier.
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Dashavatar, directed by Subodh Khanolkar, made its Oscar contender list earlier this year, marking a significant milestone for Marathi cinema.