Oscar Journey Of Homebound Ends, Geeta Gandbhir’s Two Documentaries Nominated

Photo: Netflix/Gustav Campos

By PREETI CHANDAN

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Hindi film ‘Homebound,’ India’s official Oscars contender, did not make it to the final five-nominee shortlist from which the winner will be picked in the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards.

The films nominated in this category are: ‘The Secret Agent’ (Brazil), ‘It Was Just an Accident’ (France), ‘Sentimental Value’ (Norway), ‘Sirāt’ (Spain), and ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ (Tunisia). 

Two documentaries directed by American filmmaker Geeta Gandbhir, ‘The Perfect Neighbor’ and ‘The Devil is Busy’ did clinch nominations in the Documentary Feature and Documentary Short Film categories respectively, continuing their onward journey to the awards night.

Nominations were announced in 24 Academy Award categories early morning on January 22, here by Oscar-nominated actor Danielle Brooks and actor Lewis Pullman from the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills and broadcast around the world via the Academy’s global livestream and digital platforms.

Hopes for a nomination ran high for Neeraj Ghaywan-directed ‘Homebound’ after it secured a spot in the International Feature Film category’s 15-film shortlist, which the Academy released in early January. The film, produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions with Martin Scorsese as its executive producer, had its world premiere in the Cannes Film Festival’s prestigious Un Certain Regard section. It won rave reviews and numerous accolades in its run throughout the awards season.

The film, based on a true story, stars Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa as two friends in rural India who struggle to overcome systemic caste discrimination and poverty in pursuit of dignity and a better life.

So far, only three Indian films have received an Oscar nomination in this category: ‘Mother India’ (1958), ‘Salaam Bombay’ (1989), and ‘Lagaan’ (2002).

Gandbhir,  a multi-Emmy-winning filmmaker, is known for her work as director, producer, and editor. Her nominated documentary, ‘The Perfect Neighbor,’ is an unflinching look at a fatal shooting in Florida, using police body cam footage to expose racial bias in “Stand Your Ground” laws and their flawed application in everyday conflicts.

She co-directed ‘The Devil is Busy,’ also nominated, with Christalyn Hampton. It focuses on reproductive rights in post-Roe America through the lens of an abortion clinic security guard protecting patients amidst fierce protests.

The winners will be announced and awarded at a star-studded Oscars ceremony on March 15 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

The complete list of nominees including Best Picture:  https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2026