Hindi movie 'Homebound', which tells the story of two childhood friends from a small north Indian village who chase a police job that promises them the dignity they have long been denied, is India's official entry for the 2026 Academy Awards.
The movie will represent India in the Best International Feature category in the Oscars, chairperson of the selection committee N. Chandra said.
The film was picked by a 12-member selection committee comprised producers, directors, writers, editors and journalists.
Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and produced by Karan Johar and Adar Poonawalla, 'Homebound' stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor in lead roles.
Chandra said a total of 24 films in different languages were in contention for representing the country at the Oscars.
"It was a very difficult choice. These were films that touched the lives of people," he said.
'Homebound' debuted at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section. It was also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival.
The movie is set to hit theatres in India on September 26.
The original story of the movie was reportedly inspired by a story in New York Times titled 'Taking Amrit Home' now retitled' A Friendship, a Pandemic and a Death Beside the Highway' by Kashmiri journalist Basharat Peer.
