The year 2026 begins with exciting news for Indian cinema on the global stage. While Neeraj Ghaywan's Homebound has already made the country proud by being shortlisted for Best International Feature, two more films have now entered the prestigious Oscar race. Rishab Shetty's Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 and Anupam Kher's Tanvi the Great have officially secured eligibility to compete in the Best Picture category at the upcoming 98th Academy Awards.
The Path to Oscar Eligibility: Meeting Strict Criteria
According to a report by Variety, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has released the full list of 201 feature films eligible for Best Picture consideration. Inclusion on this list is not automatic. Films must meet a rigorous set of requirements that go beyond standard submission rules.
To qualify, a film must have had a qualifying theatrical release and completed the confidential Academy Representation and Inclusion Standards Entry (RAISE) form. Crucially, it must also adhere to at least two of the Academy's four inclusion standards. Furthermore, each eligible film was required to complete a qualifying theatrical engagement in at least 10 of the top 50 U.S. markets within 45 days of its initial release in 2025.
By successfully fulfilling all these criteria, both Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 and Tanvi the Great have positioned themselves as potential contenders in Hollywood's most coveted award category.
A Different Journey from India's Official Entry
It is important to distinguish the achievement of these two films from that of Neeraj Ghaywan's Homebound. Homebound is India's official submission in the Best International Feature Film category, a fiercely competitive section with its own separate selection process. It has already achieved a significant milestone by making it to the shortlist of 15 finalists from that category.
In contrast, Kantara Chapter 1 and Tanvi the Great are individually submitted projects aiming directly for a nomination in the top-tier Best Picture race. Their eligibility signifies that they have cleared the first major administrative and theatrical hurdle set by the Academy. The final nominations for all Oscar categories, including Best Picture, will be announced on January 22, 2026.
What This Means for Indian Cinema
The simultaneous eligibility of three distinct Indian films across different Oscar categories marks a notable moment. It reflects the growing diversity and ambition of Indian storytelling that is designed to meet global exhibition and inclusion standards. While the journey from eligibility to a nomination is long and highly competitive, the mere presence on the eligibility list grants these films increased international visibility and prestige.
This development underscores a strategic push by Indian filmmakers to position their work directly for Hollywood's highest honor, alongside the traditional route of the International Feature category. It signals a confident step onto a broader stage, where Indian narratives can compete with the best cinematic works from around the world.
The coming weeks will be crucial as the Academy's voting members consider the eligible films. Regardless of the final nomination outcome, the eligibility of Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 and Tanvi the Great for Best Picture is a landmark event that celebrates the expanding footprint of Indian cinema.
