Neeraj Ghaywan directorial Homebound has been chosen as India's official entry for the 2026 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature category, chairperson of the selection committee N Chandra said on Friday.

Addressing a press conference in Kolkata, Chandra said a total of 24 films in different languages were in contention for representing the country at the Oscars.

"It was a very difficult choice. These were films that touched the lives of people," he said.

"We were not judges but coaches. We were searching for players who have made their mark," he added.

The 12-member selection committee comprised producers, directors, writers, editors and journalists.

Homebound is produced by Karan Johar and Adar Poonawalla, stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor in lead roles.

It portrays the story of two childhood friends from a small north Indian village who chase a police job that promises them the dignity they have long been denied.

The film features music by Amit Trivedi and lyrics by Varun Grover. It had its world premiere earlier this year at the Cannes Film Festival and won the International People’s Choice Award as the second runner-up at the Toronto International Film Festival 2025 recently. It is slated to release in theatres on September 26.