Homebound Makes Oscars Shortlist, Bollywood Celebs Congratulate Karan Johar

Bollywood celebrities and film industry peers poured in congratulatory messages after Homebound, produced by Karan Johar, secured a place on the Oscars 2026 shortlist for Best International Feature Film.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the shortlisted films across 12 categories, with Homebound featuring among the top 15 contenders for the prestigious international category at the 98th Academy Awards. The final five nominees will be revealed on January 22.

Soon after the announcement, Johar’s social media platforms were flooded with messages from fellow filmmakers, actors and fans, hailing the milestone as a proud moment for Indian cinema on the global stage. Filmmakers and actors including Farah Khan, Zoya Akhtar, Vineet Kumar Siinghh, Namrata Shirodkar, Neha Dhupia and Boman Irani extended their congratulations, applauding the film’s international journey.

Reacting to the recognition, Karan Johar shared the film’s poster and described Homebound as a deeply personal project. He said the journey of the film, from international festivals to the Oscars shortlist, was overwhelming and a matter of immense pride for the entire Dharma Productions team.

Johar also credited director Neeraj Ghaywan for bringing the project to life and steering it to global acclaim. He acknowledged the filmmaker’s vision, noting that the film’s journey from Cannes to the Oscars shortlist had fulfilled several long-held creative aspirations.

Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, Homebound stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor. The film, which was India’s official entry to the Academy Awards, follows the story of two childhood friends striving to become police officers while navigating friendship, ambition and the pressures of social and economic realities.

The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and later screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, earning appreciation for its storytelling and performances. Homebound is currently streaming on Netflix and continues to reach audiences worldwide as its Oscar campaign progresses.