As Neeraj Ghaywan's Homebound embarks on its official Oscars journey as India's selection, the film industry holds its breath. Could this be the project that finally brings an Academy Award back to India after a 23-year drought since Lagaan's nomination?
The film carries unprecedented weight on its shoulders. Not only was it handpicked by Martin Scorsese who serves as Executive Producer, but it's backed by the newly financially fortified Dharma Productions and comes fresh off a triumphant global festival run.
The Perfect Storm: What Makes Homebound Different
Homebound represents a departure from India's recent Oscar selections that have drawn criticism for prioritizing logistical capability over critical acclaim. The Film Federation of India appears to have struck gold with a selection that balances artistic merit with campaign muscle.
The film's credentials are impressive: a six-month festival tour across Cannes, Toronto, Melbourne, and Marrakech, multiple awards, and the crucial endorsement of Hollywood legend Martin Scorsese, who didn't just lend his name but was involved from scripting through editing stages.
The Grueling Reality of Oscar Campaigns
What many don't realize is that an Oscar campaign resembles a full-scale political operation more than an artistic celebration. As filmmaker Shaunak Sen, whose All That Breathes secured a nomination, describes it: "You've to hit an airport, organize a screening, then hit another airport, do another screening. It's exhausting, and not to mention, very expensive."
The numbers are staggering. A single Los Angeles screening can cost up to $50,000 (approximately Rs 42 lakh), and that's before accounting for dinners for voters, travel, and marketing materials. This year's Best Feature winner Anora spent a whopping $18 million (Rs 160 crore) on its campaign.
Smriti Kiran, producer and creative impact strategist, reveals that today's minimum requirement for making any impact starts at Rs 15 crore and can easily escalate to Rs 100 crore and above.
India's Rocky Oscar History and Homebound's Position
Since Lagaan's nomination in 2003, India's Oscar journey has been marked by controversial selections and disappointing results. The debates between Jallikattu versus Gully Boy in 2020 and All We Imagine As Light versus Laapataa Ladies last year highlighted the tension between choosing festival darlings versus commercially viable candidates.
Homebound seems to bridge this divide perfectly. It has both the critical acclaim from festivals and the financial backing of Dharma Productions, which recently gained additional commercial strength by selling majority stakes to Serum Institute CEO Adar Poonawalla.
The film also benefits from perfect timing. Unlike last year's entry Laapataa Ladies, which had already completed its Netflix release before campaigning began, Homebound is fresh on the platform, maintaining audience interest and recency bias.
The Competition and Challenges Ahead
Homebound faces formidable international competition, including Norway's Sentimental Value, Brazil's The Secret Agent, and South Korea's No Other Choice. The International Feature category is particularly challenging because unlike documentary or acting categories where only specialists vote, any Academy member can participate provided they watch all contenders.
Archana Misra, CEO of Product of Culture, notes that Homebound has already generated sustained interest through its festival presence, making white voters—who still constitute the Academy majority—aware of the film. The feedback suggests voters find it "a universally resonant tale yet very locally rooted."
However, potential hurdles remain. The film underwent significant censorship by India's Central Board of Film Certification, meaning the version Academy voters see differs from the festival-winning cut. While sources downplay this concern, comparing it to frequently censored yet Oscar-favored Iranian cinema, it remains a talking point.
The official Oscars shortlist will be unveiled on December 16, 2025, when we'll learn if Homebound's unique combination of artistic credibility and financial backing can overcome the immense challenges of Oscar campaigning and bring India its long-awaited International Feature Oscar.
