Karan Johar seeks the nation's prayers for Homebound to land Oscar nomination

Filmmaker Karan Johar is over the moon after his movie Homebound featuring Ishaan Khatter Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor got shortlisted for the 98th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film categoryThe film has moved one step closer to an Oscar nomination by getting into the shortlist of 15 International moviesOn Thursday the filmmaker said that Homebound making it to the top 15 shortlist in the Best International Feature category is an achievement in itself and now the team hopes that the film makes India proud by earning an Oscar nominationKaran Johar seeks the nations prayers for Oscar nominationReflecting on the phenomenal journey the film has had across film festivals Karan Johar said Weve come a long way with Homebound When we started the film we prayed that we would get it to Cannes Then we prayed that we would get it to Toronto Then we prayed that our film would be the official selection for the Academy AwardsThen we had to pray that from 92 countries which became 86 finally we would come down to the top 15 Stressing the magnitutde of the achievement he added There are only 5 feature films in the history of the Academy Awards from India that have reached this position Theres Salaam Bombay Lagaan Chello Show Mother India and there is now going to be Homebound We have reached that juncture where we are very close to the final five Whether we make it or not I seek your blessingsKaran ended his speech by thanking the media and audience for their support Full of gratitude he said I seek your blessings Thank you very much In terms of the media movies you have been so incredibly supportive to us all Till the 22nd of January when the final five come out we seek your support because without you we wont get there he concludedAbout the 2026 Oscar NominationsThe Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the shortlisted names across 12 categories on 16 December including Animated Short Film Casting Cinematography Documentary Feature Film Documentary Short Film International Feature Film Live Action Short Film Makeup and Hairstyling Music Original Score Music Original Song Sound and Visual EffectsHomebound will be competing in the Best International Feature Film category with Argentinarsquos Belen Brazilrsquos The Secret Agent Francersquos It Was Just an Accident Germanyrsquos Sound of Falling Iraqrsquos The Presidentrsquos Cake Japanrsquos Kokuho Jordanrsquos All Thatrsquos Left of You Norwayrsquos Sentimental Value Palestinersquos Palestine 36 South Korearsquos No Other Choice Spainrsquos Sirat Switzerlandrsquos Late Shift Taiwanrsquos LeftHanded Girl and Tunisiarsquos The Voice of Hind RajabThe final nominees in all these categories are expected to be announced on January 22 2026The 98th Academy Awards are slated to take place on March 15 2026 with comedian Conan OrsquoBrien returning as the host