India’s Oscars 2026 journey is shaping up to be far more layered than usual. While Homebound continues its official march as India’s designated submission, two other Indian films — Kantara: Chapter 1 and Tanvi The Great — have entered the awards conversation through an entirely different door.
The result? Confusion for some, excitement for many, and a rare moment where multiple Indian films are simultaneously in play at the world’s biggest film awards — albeit via very different routes.
India’s official entry: What Homebound represents
Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, Homebound — starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor — has been selected by India’s government-approved committee as the country’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards.
This category allows only one film per country, and once selected, that film competes exclusively within the international feature track. Homebound clearing the next round of Academy voting is already a significant milestone, placing it among a shrinking pool of global contenders.
But this official tag also means Homebound’s Oscars path is clearly defined — and limited to one category.
Then how did Kantara and Tanvi The Great enter the race?
This is where the Academy’s structure changes everything.
Unlike the International Feature Film category, Best Picture has no country quota. Any film from anywhere in the world can qualify — as long as it meets the Academy’s eligibility rules.
That’s exactly how Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: Chapter 1 and Anupam Kher’s Tanvi The Great entered the Oscars 2026 conversation — not as India’s official entries, but as independent Best Picture contenders.
201 films, one massive race
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recently released its list of 201 films eligible for Best Picture consideration at the 98th Oscars. The list includes titles from across languages, industries, and continents — and notably features multiple Indian films this year.
Alongside Kantara: Chapter 1 and Tanvi The Great, other Indian titles such as Mahavatar Narasimha, Tourist Family, and Sister Midnight have also qualified under Best Picture eligibility rules.
What does it take to qualify for Best Picture?
The bar for Best Picture eligibility is high — and very different from country submissions.
To qualify, a film must:
- Have a runtime of over 40 minutes
- Be exhibited in an Academy-approved theatrical format
- Complete a qualifying theatrical run in at least 10 of the top 50 US markets within 45 days of its 2025 release
- Submit the confidential RAISE form, proving compliance with the Academy’s diversity and inclusion standards
- Meet at least two of the Academy’s four inclusion criteria
- Conduct official screenings and distribute screeners for Academy members
By fulfilling these requirements, Kantara: Chapter 1 and Tanvi The Great secured their places among the 201 eligible films — independent of India’s official submission process.
Why these two films stand out
Kantara: Chapter 1, a prequel to the 2022 breakout hit, expands the film’s mythological and cultural universe. Written, directed, and headlined by Rishab Shetty, the film reportedly grossed around ₹813.5 crore worldwide, giving it both critical visibility and commercial muscle.
Tanvi The Great marks Anupam Kher’s return to direction after 23 years, following Om Jai Jagadish. Featuring Shubhangi in the lead role, the film explores autism, ambition, and patriotism against the backdrop of the Indian Army — a subject-driven narrative that aligns well with the Academy’s recent preferences.
What happens next?
While Homebound continues navigating the International Feature Film track, Kantara: Chapter 1 and Tanvi The Great now face a far more crowded battlefield — the Best Picture race, where only a handful of films eventually make the final cut.
The final nominations for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced on January 22, which will reveal just how far these Indian films have travelled on the global stage.
Final words
India rarely finds itself represented at the Oscars through multiple routes in the same year — and that’s what makes 2026 fascinating. Homebound carries the country’s official flag, while Kantara: Chapter 1 and Tanvi The Great challenge the system from within the global Best Picture pool.
Different paths. Same destination. And for Indian cinema, that alone feels like a quiet but meaningful win.
