Homebound to Represent India at the 98th Oscars: Here’s a Complete Guide on Plot, Actors, Release Date & Expected OTT
“Homebound,” a Hindi-language film directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, has been selected as India’s official entry for the 2026 Oscars. The film will compete in the Best International Feature Film category against some of the finest works from around the world. Homebound had its premiere earlier on May 21, 2025, at the prestigious 78th Cannes Film Festival under the ‘Un Certain Regard’ section, where it received a standing ovation and widespread praise for its storytelling. Now, the big question remains—when will Indian audiences get to watch the film, and which OTT platform will acquire its streaming rights?
India’s official entry for the 2026 Oscars is Homebound
“Homebound” outshined films like Pushpa 2, The Bengal Files, and Kesari Chapter 2, breaking records and surpassing them to secure a nomination at the 98th Academy Awards. The film features young actors Vishal Jethwa, Ishaan Khatter, and Janhvi Kapoor in lead roles. Even before its official release in India, the movie has earned worldwide praise and recognition. At the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, it won the second runner-up position in the prestigious International People’s Choice Awards. Earlier, at the Cannes Film Festival, Homebound received a nine-minute-long standing ovation, marking a truly historic moment.”
Inside the story and characters of Homebound
“Homebound” is inspired by the 2020 New York Times essay “A Friendship, a Pandemic and a Death Beside the Highway” written by Kashmiri journalist Basharat Peer. The essay narrated the ordeal of two real-life migrant workers, Mohammad Saiyub and Amrit Kumar, who were stranded during India’s COVID-19 lockdown. Director Neeraj Ghaywan adapted this true incident into a film, fictionalising the characters’ backstories while delving deeper into themes of caste, religion, and inequality in rural India.
The film tells the story of two childhood friends—Shoaib, played by Ishaan Khatter, who is Muslim, and Chandan, portrayed by Vishal Jethwa, who is Dalit. Both share the dream of becoming police officers. Growing up in a village in North India, they face constant hardships and social discrimination because of their caste and religion. For them, securing a government job is not just about stability but also about reclaiming the respect and dignity that society has long denied them. They believe that by becoming police officers, they can rise above prejudice and gain the acceptance they have always been deprived of.
The film portrays how, amid struggles, Chandan falls in love with Sudha Bharti (played by Janhvi Kapoor), the daughter of a government official. Coming from a different social background, Sudha represents a contrasting worldview, which society often perceives through the lens of hierarchy and prejudice. Their relationship faces challenges due to these social differences. Meanwhile, tensions also arise between Chandan and Shoaib, leading to a rift that separates the two friends. Later, away from their home, they reconcile, and life begins to look promising again. However, the COVID-19 pandemic strikes, forcing the ‘homebound’ friends to attempt a difficult journey back to their village. This struggle to return home forms the emotional core and climax of the film.
India release date and streaming details of Homebound
“Homebound” is slated for a global theatrical release on September 26, 2025. While the makers haven’t confirmed its OTT platform yet, NewsBytes reports that Netflix could acquire streaming rights for the 1 hour 59-minute film starring Ishaan Khatter. Producer Karan Johar, along with cast members Janhvi Kapoor and Ishaan Khatter, celebrated the film’s official selection for the 2026 Oscars.
The worldwide release of Homebound is scheduled for September 26, 2025. The OTT platform for the 1 hour 59-minute movie remains unannounced, though NewsBytes suggests Netflix may secure it. Producer Karan Johar and stars Janhvi Kapoor and Ishaan Khatter marked the film’s official entry into the 2026 Academy Awards.
Set to hit theatres globally on September 26, 2025, Homebound’s OTT streaming details are still unconfirmed. Reports by NewsBytes indicate Netflix may acquire the rights for the Ishaan Khatter-starrer. The film’s Oscars 2026 selection was celebrated by producer Karan Johar and the lead cast, including Janhvi Kapoor and Ishaan Khatter.
Homebound will release worldwide on September 26, 2025. Although the 1 hour 59-minute film’s OTT platform isn’t confirmed, NewsBytes reports Netflix might be interested. Producer Karan Johar, along with Janhvi Kapoor and Ishaan Khatter, celebrated the film’s official entry to the 2026 Oscars.
The Ishaan Khatter-led film Homebound is scheduled for a global release on September 26, 2025. The official OTT platform is yet to be revealed, but Netflix is reportedly in talks. Producer Karan Johar and the cast, including Janhvi Kapoor, celebrated the film’s selection for the 2026 Academy Awards.
Karan Johar expressed on social media that he felt “deeply honoured and humbled” by Homebound’s Oscar nomination, calling it “Neeraj Ghaywan’s labour of love.” Janhvi Kapoor posted an emotional message on Instagram, describing the film’s journey as “nothing short of a dream,” while Ishaan Khatter said the film is “much bigger than us.”
Sharing his thoughts on social media, Karan Johar said he was “deeply honoured and humbled” by the Oscar nod for Homebound, praising it as Neeraj Ghaywan’s “labour of love.” Janhvi Kapoor wrote that the film’s journey felt “nothing short of a dream,” and Ishaan Khatter described the project as “much bigger than us.”
Karan Johar took to social media, calling Homebound’s Oscar nomination a “deeply humbling and honourable” moment and describing it as Neeraj Ghaywan’s “labour of love.” Janhvi Kapoor shared an emotional note, calling the experience “nothing short of a dream,” while Ishaan Khatter said the film transcends them, being “much bigger than us.”
On social media, Karan Johar called Homebound’s Oscar selection “deeply honouring and humbling,” praising Neeraj Ghaywan’s work as a “labour of love.” Janhvi Kapoor described the film’s journey as “nothing short of a dream,” and Ishaan Khatter remarked that it’s a story “much bigger than us.”
Karan Johar expressed his pride on social media, calling Homebound’s Oscar nomination “deeply humbling” and lauding it as Neeraj Ghaywan’s “labour of love.” Janhvi Kapoor wrote an emotional Instagram note calling the journey “nothing short of a dream,” while Ishaan Khatter said the film is “much bigger than us.”
Do you think Homebound deserves to be India’s 2026 Oscar contender?
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