Bollywood films that are sent to the Academy Awards as the country's official entry rarely make it past the early rounds of the race. On the occasion one does, it ceases to be merely an awards update, it becomes a cultural moment. Neeraj Ghaywan's 'Homebound', starring Vishal Jethwa, Ishaan Khatter, and Janhvi Kapoor, has achieved that rare feat in being shortlisted in the Best International Feature category at the 98th Academy Awards, bringing Indian cinema back into the global spotlight.
This shortlist recognition places 'Homebound' among a very select set of Indian films that have managed to break through at the Oscars, a space where India's presence has historically been limited despite its prolific film industry.
Till 'Homebound', India saw three historic Oscar nominations and one modern shortlist milestone in the Best International Feature (formerly known as the Best Foreign Language Film category) race. While Indian movies have won Oscars for their music, and Indian documentaries have taken home Oscars, India hasn't won in the Best International Feature category, yet.
'Mother India' became India’s first nominee, drawing the world’s gaze to an inspring tale of rural survival and morality. Decades later, 'Salaam Bombay!' turned global attention to the lives of street children, while 'Lagaan' blended colonial history with cricket. Most recently, 'Last Film Show', an ode to India’s long romance with storytelling, reached the official Oscar shortlist, but didn't get nominated.
The spotlight on 'Homebound' revives a long-standing debate: does Bollywood still need validation from Western institutions like the Academy? For some, an Oscar nod signals international legitimacy and opens doors to wider global audiences. For others, it raises a more uncomfortable question: whose approval truly matters in an industry that commands one of the world’s largest audiences and thrives across languages, cultures, and storytelling traditions?
What makes 'Homebound' special is that it doesn't seem to be gunning for validation. Much like Neeraj Ghaywan's earlier work 'Masaan', the film is rooted in intimate human experiences rather than spectacle or formula. Its recognition feels less like a strategic awards push, and more like a quiet acknowledgment of honest storytelling and craft.
With 'Homebound' inching closer to a part of Oscar history, the excitement is undeniable. But a more pertinent question would be if Indian cinema really needed the stamp of approval from the Academy anymore, or has 'Homebound' said it all by simply telling its story?
