{"id":14014,"date":"2025-09-19T16:03:08","date_gmt":"2025-09-19T16:03:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/19\/homebound-at-oscars-2026-cast-plot-release-date-of-neeraj-ghaywans-film-bollywood-news\/"},"modified":"2025-09-19T16:03:08","modified_gmt":"2025-09-19T16:03:08","slug":"homebound-at-oscars-2026-cast-plot-release-date-of-neeraj-ghaywans-film-bollywood-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/19\/homebound-at-oscars-2026-cast-plot-release-date-of-neeraj-ghaywans-film-bollywood-news\/","title":{"rendered":"Homebound At Oscars 2026: Cast, Plot, Release Date Of Neeraj Ghaywan\u2019s Film | Bollywood News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"story-9584182\">\n<p><span class=\"jsx-395e0e0beb19cb6e jsx-4143937483\">Last Updated:<\/span><time class=\"jsx-395e0e0beb19cb6e jsx-4143937483\">September 19, 2025, 21:24 IST<\/time><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"asubttl-9584182\" class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-632724277 asubttl-schema\">Neeraj Ghaywan\u2019s Homebound, starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor, is India\u2019s official Oscar 2026 entry. Here\u2019s what makes it special.<\/h2>\n<div class=\"jsx-cc1b15cf85effb8b artsharwrp\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news18.co\/gnps-en-btn\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"jsx-91f4da8d48c13a79 gglebtn bggrn\"\/><\/p>\n<div id=\"artshare\" class=\"jsx-cc1b15cf85effb8b artshare\">\n<div class=\"jsx-cc1b15cf85effb8b stickdiv\">\n<div class=\"jsx-cc1b15cf85effb8b deskwrapstkdiv\">\n<div class=\"jsx-cc1b15cf85effb8b fontchange\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/dlxczavtqcctuei\/news18\/static\/images\/english\/font.svg\" height=\"30px\" width=\"30px\" alt=\"font\" title=\"font\" class=\"jsx-cc1b15cf85effb8b lazyload\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-632724277 amimg\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Homebound is headlined by Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa.\" title=\"Homebound is headlined by Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa.\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/ibnlive\/uploads\/2021\/07\/1627283897_news18_logo-1200x800.jpg?impolicy=website&amp;width=400&amp;height=225\" loading=\"eager\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-632724277\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Homebound is headlined by Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa.<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p id=\"0\" class=\"story_para_0\">India\u2019s hopes for global cinematic recognition are soaring as Neeraj Ghaywan\u2019s Homebound has been announced as the country\u2019s official entry to the Best International Feature category at the 98th Academy Awards. The film, produced by Dharma Productions, is already generating immense buzz, thanks to its rooted storytelling and powerful performances.<\/p>\n<p id=\"1\" class=\"story_para_1\"><strong>Neeraj Ghaywan Brings Another Story Rooted In India<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"2\" class=\"story_para_2\">Director Neeraj Ghaywan, who earlier won acclaim for Masaan and Geeli Pucchi, once again blends realism with universal emotions in Homebound. Speaking about the film, Ghaywan highlighted that it is \u201cdeeply rooted in the land and its people, carrying the essence of belonging and identity.&#8221; This delicate balance of local texture with global resonance is what makes the film stand out as a worthy Oscar contender.<\/p>\n<p id=\"3\" class=\"story_para_3\">Backed by Karan Johar\u2019s Dharma Productions, the film benefits from both strong storytelling and the backing of a studio with international reach. Johar described the Oscar selection as a \u201cpinch me&#8221; moment and expressed gratitude to the Film Federation of India, adding that the film will \u201cconnect with millions worldwide and showcase Indian narratives on a global stage.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"4\" class=\"story_para_4\"><strong>A Powerful Story Of Friendship, Struggle And Dreams<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"5\" class=\"story_para_5\">The film\u2019s narrative unfolds in a small North Indian village, where two lifelong best friends \u2014 Shoaib (Ishaan Khatter), a Muslim, and Chandan (Vishal Jethwa), a Dalit \u2014 dream of escaping poverty and discrimination by securing government jobs. They believe becoming police trainees will grant them dignity and shield them from bias.<\/p>\n<p id=\"6\" class=\"story_para_6\">But their journey takes an uncertain turn when an entire year passes without any response to their applications. While Shoaib juggles the financial burden of his father\u2019s knee surgery, Chandan hopes to give his mother a better life and secretly nurtures feelings for Sudha (Janhvi Kapoor), a fellow lower-caste student from his college.<\/p>\n<p id=\"7\" class=\"story_para_7\">The film traces their evolving friendship \u2014 playful in the beginning but strained by frustration and dashed hopes. Khatter and Jethwa\u2019s raw, endearing performances are at the film\u2019s core, while Kapoor, though in a smaller role, lends poignancy to the narrative.<\/p>\n<p id=\"8\" class=\"story_para_8\"><strong>Homebound Release Date And Global Appeal<\/strong><\/p>\n<p id=\"9\" class=\"story_para_9\">Homebound isn\u2019t just a social drama; it\u2019s a reflection of generational struggles across rural India, wrapped in themes of identity, aspiration, and belonging. These elements give it universal appeal, ensuring resonance with global audiences beyond its Indian setting.<\/p>\n<p id=\"10\" class=\"story_para_10\">The film is slated for theatrical release on September 26, 2025, giving Indian audiences a chance to experience it before the Oscars buzz peaks. As anticipation builds, Homebound stands as a reminder of Indian cinema\u2019s ability to tell intimate yet universally powerful stories.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atawrap\">\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atadetailwrp\">\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd ataname\"><span class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atthumb\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Shrishti Negi\" title=\"Shrishti Negi\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/ibnlive\/uploads\/?impolicy=website&amp;width=60&amp;height=60\" class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd\"\/><\/figure>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd attitle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/byline\/shrishti-negi-14989.html\" class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atamail\">Shrishti Negi<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, &#8230;<span class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd aurpdebtn\">Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, &#8230;<!-- --> <span class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd aurpdebtn\">Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-632724277 artcta\"><a href=\"https:\/\/news18.co\/gnps-en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Click here<\/a> to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. Check latest Bollywood news updates, events and award shows, upcoming <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/movies\/bollywood\/\">hindi movies<\/a> releases, exclusive interviews, box office collections, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/movies\/movie-reviews\/\">reviews<\/a>, trailers, and more.\u00a0Download the <a href=\"https:\/\/onelink.to\/eng-article-eop\">News18 App<\/a>.<\/div>\n<div class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-632724277 atbtlink fp\"><span>First Published:<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"rs\">\n<p>September 19, 2025, 21:24 IST<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-632724277 brdcrmb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/\">News<\/a>  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/movies\/\">movies<\/a>  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/movies\/bollywood\/\">bollywood<\/a>  <span class=\"brdout\"> Homebound At Oscars 2026: Cast, Plot, Release Date Of Neeraj Ghaywan\u2019s Film<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"coral-wrap\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f \">\n<div class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f coral-cont\">\n<div class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f coltoptxt\">Disclaimer: Comments reflect users\u2019 views, not News18\u2019s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/disclaimer\/\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f\">Terms of Use<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/privacy_policy\/\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f\">Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/movies\/bollywood\/homebound-at-oscars-2026-cast-plot-release-date-of-neeraj-ghaywans-film-9584182.html\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last Updated:September 19, 2025, 21:24 IST Neeraj Ghaywan\u2019s Homebound, starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor, is India\u2019s official Oscar 2026 entry. Here\u2019s what makes it special. Homebound is headlined by Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa. India\u2019s hopes for global cinematic recognition are soaring as Neeraj Ghaywan\u2019s Homebound has been announced as the country\u2019s&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14015,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[46],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14014","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-movies"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14014","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14014"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14014\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14015"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14014"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14014"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14014"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}