Indian films make a strong push at the 98th Academy Awards race

Indian cinema has mounted one of its most diverse and ambitious campaigns yet at the 98th Academy Awards, with multiple films qualifying across categories through different eligibility routes. As of January 2026, Indian titles are competing not only in the Best International Feature Film category but also in the general Best Picture race and several individual award categories, highlighting a growing global footprint.

Homebound leads as India’s official submission

Director Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound has emerged as the frontrunner in India’s official Oscars campaign. Starring Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor, the film was selected as India’s official entry for Best International Feature Film. In early January, the Academy confirmed that Homebound had progressed to the Top 15 shortlist, keeping it firmly in contention for a final nomination.

The film’s advancement marks a significant moment for socially grounded Indian storytelling, a genre that has increasingly resonated with international critics and festival audiences.

Independent Indian films enter the Best Picture race

Beyond the official submission, several Indian films have independently qualified for the general categories, including Best Picture, by fulfilling the Academy’s expanded eligibility criteria, such as theatrical runs in key US markets.

Among the most high-profile contenders is Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1. The prequel to the 2022 blockbuster explores the mythological origins of Daiva worship and expands the franchise’s spiritual universe on a larger cinematic scale.

Anupam Kher’s Tanvi The Great brings an emotionally driven narrative to the awards circuit. The Hindi-language drama follows an autistic woman’s journey to fulfill her late father’s dream of visiting the Siachen Glacier, blending personal resilience with national symbolism.

In a landmark moment for Indian animation, Mahavatar Narasimha has entered the race as a 3D animated mythological epic, positioning itself as one of the country’s most technically ambitious projects to seek Academy recognition.

Also in contention is Tourist Family, a Tamil-language film directed by Abishan Jeevinth, which focuses on the struggles of a Sri Lankan Tamil family navigating displacement and survival in India.

Regional and international co-productions gain visibility

Indian cinema’s regional diversity is further reflected in the eligibility of Dashavatar, a Marathi-language film that entered the Academy’s Main Open Film Category, making it the first Marathi film to reach this stage.

The UK–India co-production Sister Midnight, a dark comedy-thriller starring Radhika Apte, has also made it to the Academy’s general eligibility list, adding an international collaborative dimension to India’s Oscars presence.

Meanwhile, Gevi, a Tamil survival drama, has been uploaded to the Academy Screening Room, making it accessible to Academy members for voting consideration across multiple categories.

With films spanning mythology, social realism, animation, regional storytelling, and diaspora narratives, India’s presence at the 98th Academy Awards represents a notable shift from singular representation to broad-based participation. The growing number of independently qualified films underscores how Indian producers are increasingly aligning global release strategies with Academy eligibility rules.

Key dates to watch

• Official nominations announcement: January 22, 2026

• 98th Academy Awards ceremony: March 15, 2026
  (March 16, 2026, IST)

• Venue: Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles

As nominations draw closer, all eyes will be on whether this expansive slate can translate eligibility into final nods and potentially mark one of India’s strongest showings at the Oscars to date.