Oscars 2026 Nominations: For film enthusiasts in India, the long wait is almost over. The official nominations for the 98th Academy Awards (Oscars 2026) are set to be unveiled today, Thursday, 22 January 2026. This global event marks the final countdown to the prestigious ceremony, where the finest in world cinema compete for the iconic golden statuette. With several Indian titles in the mix and a highly anticipated shortlist already creating buzz, here is everything you need to know about the Indian Films shortlisted for Oscars 2026.
List Of Indian Contenders In Oscars 2026
Homebound: The biggest talking point for Indian cinema this year is Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound. Starring Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter, and Vishal Jethwa, the film has already been shortlisted in the Best International Feature Film category.Despite a moderate performance at the domestic box office, Homebound has been a darling of the international festival circuit. It received a standing ovation at Cannes 2025 and was the second runner-up for the Audience Choice Award at TIFF. Produced by Karan Johar, the film faces stiff competition from global heavyweights like Brazil’s The Secret Agent and France’s It Was Just an Accident.
Other Indian Films Eligible For Best Picture
The Academy recently released its ‘Reminder List’ of 201 films eligible for the Best Picture category. Excitingly, four Indian productions have met the strict criteria to be considered:
Kantara Chapter 1: Rishab Shetty and Rukmini Vasanth starrer Kannada mythological action movie, hit theatres on October 2, 2025. According to reports in Sacnilk, Kantara Chapter 1 earned Rs 621.35 crore in India. The worldwide collection of the film stands at Rs 851.15 crore. While the overseas collection is Rs 111 crore and the India gross collection is Rs 740.15 crore.
Tanvi The Great: Shubhangi Dutt and Anupam Kher starrer Hindi drama movie hit theatres on July 18. The film received good reviews from the audience but failed to make a mark at the box office. As per reports, the film is made on an estimated budget of Rs 50 crore.
Also Read: Oscar 2026 Nominations: When And Where To Watch In India? Check Date, Time And OTT Platform
Mahavatar Narsimha: Ashwin Kumar’s visually stunning animated epic Mahavatar Narsimha has reached a major milestone, officially becoming eligible for the Best Animated Feature category at the 98th Academy Awards. Mahavatar Narsimha has shown an unusual trend in the Indian box office, its collections have grown steadily week after week. The film also marks director Ashwin Kumar’s debut.
Tourist Family: Abhishan Jeevinth-directed movie Tourist Family also featured M Sasikumar and Simran in pivotal parts. The family drama hit theatres on May 1, 2025. dditionally, it has become one of the most popular Tamil films of the year. According to reports, Tourist Family has made Rs 83 crore worldwide during its 28-day run at the box office.
Sister Midnight: Sister Midnight, a Hindi-UK co-production starring Radhika Apte, is also shortlisted. Radhika Apte starrer black comedy movie initially released in the UK on March 14, 2025. The film previously went to BAFTA and Cannes 2024 and garnered praise from the critics. After its global appreciation, Sister Midnight was then released in limited screens in Indian theatres in May, 2025.
Once the nominations are announced tonight, the final stage of voting will begin. A total of 24 categories will be awarded during the main ceremony. While most categories feature five nominees, the Best Picture category will boast a ten-film shortlist. The grand finale, the 98th Academy Awards ceremony, is scheduled to take place on March 15, 2026.