Recently, we reported about director Neeraj Ghaywan's film Homebound moving one step closer to being nominated for a Best International Feature Film Oscar. Some hours ago, Martin Scorsese, who serves as an executive producer on the film, congratulated the team behind it for the achievement through Instagram. The legendary filmmaker said that he is delighted about the news and reiterated his admiration for the film by sharing a clip from his recent conversation with director Neeraj. In response, producer Karan Johar wrote, "Sir… your validation, support… love and care mean the world to us and brought the world to us…. We are forever grateful and indebted to you dear sir… Big Respect to you always …"
On the other hand, director Neeraj said, "Sir, I will forever be grateful for your kindness and unswerving generosity. Your insights during the writing and editing have been invaluable and have shaped the film to be liked by so many across the world!"
Meanwhile, actor Ishaan Khatter wrote, "As a young actor from anywhere in the world, to have a nod of approval from your masterful gaze is a blessing to cherish for a lifetime. Thank you for your grace, sir. Your presence and contribution on our film is priceless. Only love and respect."
Besides Homebound, also starring Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, the list includes the following films:
Belen (Argentina)
The Secret Agent (Brazil)
It Was Just an Accident (France)
Sound of Falling (Germany)
The President's Cake (Iraq)
Kokuho (Japan)
All That's Left of You (Jordan)
Sentimental Value (Norway)
Palestine 36 (Palestine)
No Other Choice (South Korea)
Sirât (Spain)
Late Shift (Switzerland)
Left-Handed Girl (Taiwan)
The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia)
The Academy is set to announce the final list of nominees for the award on January 22, Thursday. Even in the shortlist, Homebound is not necessarily considered one of the frontrunners for the award. Interestingly, the films that are considered the 'heavyweights' in the category are Sentimental Value, It Was Just an Accident, and The Secret Agent. However, the Neeraj Ghaywan directorial still has a very good chance of breaking India's Oscar nomination draught thanks to the sheer quality of the film, its successful festival run and critical acclaim, and the backing it has from Martin Scorsese. The film's makers, including Karan Johar, have been aggressively campaigning for it in the USA. With a bit of luck, it might go all the way and win the coveted award.
If it succeeds in getting a nomination itself, Homebound would become the first film from India after Ashutosh Gowariker's Lagaan to enter the list of five films vying for the prestigious award. Interestingly, the number of nominees in the category remains five, although the Academy increased the corresponding number for the Best Picture award from five to ten—a decision that has widely been attributed to the snub of Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight from the list in the 2009 ceremony.
Speaking of which, the Academy Awards are slated to take place on March 15 this year.