Homebound Misses the Oscar Boat

In a surprising twist, Homebound has been snubbed for a nomination in the Best International Feature Film category at the 2026 Oscars. The last Indian film to grace the Academy Awards nominations was Aamir Khan’s iconic Lagaan back in 2002.

Produced by Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, and Adar Poonawalla under Dharma Productions, Homebound draws inspiration from a 2020 New York Times article by Basharat Peer. The film tells the poignant tale of two friends, Shoaib and Chandan, who navigate the challenges of their oppressed backgrounds amid a society riddled with systemic discrimination.

Set against the backdrop of the COVID-19 lockdown, the narrative follows their struggles as they lose their livelihoods and seek ways to return home.