Homebound OTT partner revealed: Where to watch Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vishal Jethwa's film selected as India's official entry for the 2026 Oscars

Homebound has been chosen as India's official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2026 Academy Awards. The film will hit cinemas on September 26.

Homebound 

Homebound, starring Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vishal Jethwa, received a standing ovation at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival. Produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra, and directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, the film has now been chosen as India's official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2026 Academy Awards. While Homebound is all set to hit cinemas on September 26, here's where you can watch the film after its theatrical run.

Where to watch Homebound online?

As per the official posters of the film, Homebound will land on Netflix after its theatrical run. Typically, movies are released on OTT platforms eight weeks after their theatrical premiere. Therefore, Homebound could be available digitally in November 2025.

About Homebound

Homebound is a 2025 Hindi drama film directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, starring Ishaan Khatter as Shoaib and Vishal Jethwa as Chandan. The story tells the story of two childhood best friends from a North Indian village, who try to get government jobs to escape poverty and discrimination, but caste and religious barriers hinder their dreams.

The film explores themes of friendship, ambition and survival, set against the backdrop of social challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic. Janhvi Kapoor plays Sudha Bharti, a fellow student from a similar background.

The OTTplay review for Homebound stated that the film isn’t a war cry or a demand for rebellion. It’s gentler but just as powerful: a call for empathy, for treating people with dignity regardless of caste, class, or religion.

"It’s a reminder of the privileges we often overlook and a plea to make the world better for those who’ve never had the luxury of choice. It’s not an easy film to watch—but it shouldn’t be. Neeraj Ghaywan holds up a mirror, and what you see may not be flattering. But if you’re willing to sit with that discomfort, Homebound will stay with you long after you leave the theatre," it further read.

Homebound cast on film officially selected as India’s entry for the 2026 Oscars

Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa reacted to their upcoming Homebound getting officially selected as India’s entry for the 98th Academy Awards. Jethwa described the news as "surreal," while Khatter wrote, "This is the film I've been proudest of and even if it wasn't my film, I would feel the same way. Some films are much bigger than us. Neeraj Ghaywan I love you so much brother, you deserve this and more."

While sharing his excitement, Jethwa said, "This moment feels absolutely surreal it’s the kind of news every actor dreams of hearing one day. To know that Homebound is representing India on the world’s biggest cinematic stage is beyond anything I imagined when I began my journey in films."

Janhvi Kapoor also expressed her happiness on Instagram and wrote, “Every part of this film has been nothing short of a dream. The journey, the people, what this story means, and how personal it’s been for everyone in our team. At every step, I have been thankful I could witness this journey, which in my mind was truly the reward in itself."

Catch Homebound at a theater near you on September 26.

Also Read: Homebound Review: Through Ishaan, Janhvi and Vishal, Ghaywan finds melancholy in the margins we ignore

FAQs

Q: What is Homebound at Cannes?

A: Neeraj Ghaywan's new film Homebound, which premiered in the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, finds its roots in a poignant real-life story first told in a New York Times op-ed during India's COVID-19 lockdown.

Q: Who stars in Homebound?

A: Produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra, and directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, Homebound stars Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vishal Jethwa.

Q: Is Homebound releasing in theaters?

A: Yes. Homebound will hit theaters on September 26, 2025, worldwide.

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