'Court' and 'Newton' to 'Homebound' tracing India’s Oscar journey over ten years; India's official entries

The 98th Academy Awards nominations were announced, ending weeks of anticipation worldwide. In India, attention centered on Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, which reached the final shortlist in the Best International Feature Film category but missed a nomination. Backed by Dharma Productions and led by Karan Johar, the film starred Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor. Attention now shifts to Oscar frontrunners such as One Battle After Another and Sinners. The ceremony will be held on March 15, with Conan O'Brien as host.Homebound became India’s latest official Oscar entry, continuing the trend toward grounded storytelling. The film explored displacement, belonging, and emotional return, themes that resonate globally. With a focus on personal loss rather than spectacle, Homebound aimed to speak across borders. Its selection suggested a growing confidence in subtle narratives that trust viewers to sit with silence and feeling.