Karan Johar: With “Homebound” edging closer to the coveted Academy Award, director Karan Johar is “over the moon” with his creation.

Karan Johar sent a poignant message on social media after the movie was selected and moved on to the next round of voting in the International Feature Film category for the forthcoming 98th Academy Awards.

“I am not sure I can articulate how proud, elated and over the moon I am with the journey of #HOMEBOUND… all of us @dharmamovies are privileged to have this proud and important film in our filmography … thank you,” he tweeted.

Johar gave particular recognition to filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan, thanking him for realizing a number of his ambitions.

Thank you to @neeraj.ghaywan for fulfilling so many of our goals. The trip from Cannes to the Oscar shortlist has been incredible! Love to all of the actors, crew, and teams involved in this unique and exceptional movie!!!!!! “Onwards and upwards…….. #HOMEBOUND is currently available for streaming on @netflix_in,” he said.

The Academy announced that “Homebound,” starring Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa, has been chosen as one of the 15 films that will be eligible for the final nominations in the International Feature Film category at the 2026 Oscars.

“In the 98th Academy Awards’ International Feature Film category, fifteen films will go on to the next round of voting. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) website said that films from 86 nations or regions qualified for the category.

These include “Homebound,” “Belen” from Argentina, “The Secret Agent” from Brazil, “It Was Just an Accident” from France, “Sound of Falling” from Germany, and others.

With Janhvi Kapoor lending emotional depth to a tale rooted in friendship, responsibility, and the challenges confronting young India, “Homebound” follows childhood friends Shoaib (Ishaan Khatter) and Chandan (Vishal Jethwa), whose common desire of joining the police force changes their lives.

“Homebound” won several awards at film festivals and award presentations earlier this year.