Karan Johar's Heartfelt Support for Neeraj Ghaywan After Homebound's Oscar Disappointment
In a poignant moment for Indian cinema, the 98th Academy Awards nominations announced on January 22, 2026, brought disappointment as Homebound, India's official entry, failed to secure a final nomination in the Best International Feature Film category. This came after the film had made it to the top-15 shortlist, raising hopes for a historic achievement following recent successes like RRR and The Elephant Whisperers.
Emotional Public Stand by Producer Karan Johar
Amid the heartbreak, producer Karan Johar took to social media to publicly support director Neeraj Ghaywan. Shortly after the nominations were revealed, Johar shared a collage from Homebound on his Instagram Stories with a heartfelt message: "Proud! Love you Neeraj Ghaywan for allowing us to bask in your light!" This gesture highlighted the strong bond between the two industry figures during a challenging time.
Neeraj Ghaywan responded promptly, resharing Johar's post and writing, "Thank you Karan Johar! You have been an absolute rock. Couldn't have come this far without you. Love you!" This exchange underscored the collaborative spirit and mutual respect in the face of setback.
Homebound's Journey and Cast
Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, Homebound stars actors Ishaán Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor. The film had garnered significant attention globally, with reports of standing ovations at festivals, making its omission from the final Oscar list particularly surprising to many. The disappointment was palpable among Indian film enthusiasts who had high expectations after the film's shortlist achievement.
Social Media Reactions and Global Impact
Social media platforms were flooded with reactions from audiences who had been rooting for Homebound. One user expressed sadness, stating, "Sadly, no Oscar nomination for Homebound. It deserved to make the cut." Another commented poetically, "Homebound, you were bigger than the whole sky." Several others voiced disbelief, with one post reading, "Really shocking that Homebound did not make it to the final selection. The film stirred emotions and hearts globally."
This incident highlights the emotional rollercoaster of award seasons, where hopes can soar with shortlist inclusions only to be dashed in final announcements. Despite the snub, the public support from figures like Karan Johar serves as a reminder of the resilience and camaraderie within the film industry.
The Oscars 2026 nominations saw other highlights, such as Ryan Coogler's Sinners bagging 16 nominations, but for Indian audiences, the focus remained on the near-miss of Homebound. As the film community processes this outcome, the emphasis shifts to celebrating the artistic achievements and looking ahead to future opportunities on the global stage.
