India Submits "Homebound" for Oscars Race

India has chosen Neeraj Ghaywan’s “Homebound” as its submission for the international feature film category at the 98th Academy Awards, the Film Federation of India said on Friday.

The pic, which premiered in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section earlier this year, stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor. 

Inspired by Basharat Peer’s 2020 New York Times essay “Taking Amrit Home,” the film follows two childhood friends from a small North Indian town whose shared dream of joining the police force unravels against the backdrop of caste divisions, religious tensions and the despair of the coronavirus pandemic lockdown.

“I’m deeply honored that ‘Homebound’ has been chosen as India’s official entry to the Oscars. Rooted in the love for our land and our people, it carries the essence of the home we all share. To take our stories to the world and represent India at one of the biggest global stages for cinema is both humbling and a matter of pride, and for this I’m extremely grateful,” Ghaywan said in a statement.

“Homebound” counts Martin Scorsese among its executive producers. The film was named second runner-up for the TIFF People’s Choice Award in Toronto.

While India has yet to win in the international feature category, it has earned three nominations: Mehboob Khan’s “Mother India” (1957), Mira Nair’s “Salaam Bombay!” (1988) and Ashutosh Gowariker’s “Lagaan” (2001).

Recent Indian entries including Pan Nalin’s “Last Film Show” and Rima Das’ “Village Rockstars” made waves on the festival circuit. 

Ghaywan, whose debut “Masaan” premiered at Cannes in 2015, is seen as one of India’s most distinctive contemporary filmmakers. “Homebound” releases in India on September 26.

The deadline for submission to the Best International Feature Film category of the 98th Academy Awards is October 1.