Despite not receiving a nomination for the 98th Academy Awards, India’s contender ‘Homebound’ shines as a testament to storytelling. Producer Karan Johar celebrated the vision of director Neeraj Ghaywan, highlighting the film’s poignant examination of friendship in the face of caste discrimination and the pandemic. Premiering at Cannes and hitting theaters in September 2025, it continues to inspire discussions.
The nominations list for the 2026 Oscars was announced today, and Neeraj Ghaywan’s ‘Homebound’, which was India’s official selection for the 98th Academy Awards, didn’t make it. The movie was backed by Karan Johar and featured Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor. As soon as the nominations were announced, Karan took to his Instagram Stories to express his reaction to the same. Let’s take a look at what the producer has to say about it.
Karan Johar reacts to ‘Homebound’ snub at the Oscars 2026
Karan Johar took to his Instagram Stories and wrote, “Proud!!! Love you @neeraj.ghaywan for allowing us to bask in your light!” adding ‘Homebound’ in a hashtag.
Soon, director Neeraj Ghaywan reposted KJo’s Instagram Story and wrote, “Thank you, @karanjohar! You have been an absolute rock. Couldn’t have come this far without you. Love you.”
‘Homebound’ and Oscar 2026
While ‘Homebound’ couldn’t make it to the list, the movies that were nominated in the Best International Feature Film Category for the 98th Academy Awards are ‘The Secret Agent’, ‘It Was Just An Accident’, ‘Sentimental Value’, ‘Sirat’, and ‘The Voice Of Hind Rajab’.
More about ‘Homebound’
The film’s story revolves around two friends, Shoaib and Chandan, who take on the police recruitment exam, hoping that it will bring dignity to them while fighting caste discrimination in the society. But as they get closer to their objective, pressure and difficulties cause issues in their friendship. The film also showcases how they survive during the COVID-19 pandemic.The cast also includes Harshika Parmar, Shalini Vatsa, Chandan K Anand, and Vijay Vikram Singh. It was based on ‘A Friendship, a Pandemic, and a Death Beside the Highway’ by Basharat Peer.The 122-minute-long film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025, while the movie was released in theaters on September 26, 2025. Go to Source
