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Big news coming in is that director Neeraj Ghaywan’s film Homebound has been selected as India’s official entry for the Oscars 2026 in the Best International Feature category. Produced by Dharma Productions, the film features Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor.

N Chandra, the chairperson of the selection committee, said in a press conference in Kolkata, “It was a very difficult choice. There were films that touched the lives of people. We were not judges but coaches. We were searching for players who have made their mark.

The film was selected by a 12-member selection committee.

Reacting to it, producer Karan Johar said, “We are deeply honoured and humbled that HOMEBOUND has been selected as India’s official entry to the Academy Awards… Neeraj Ghaywan’s labour of love is sure to a find a home in a million hearts across the world.”

Neeraj Ghaywan added, “I’m deeply honoured that Homebound has been chosen as India’s official entry to the Oscars. Rooted in the love for our land and our people, it carries the essence of the home we all share. To take our stories to the world and represent India at one of the biggest global stages for cinema is both humbling and a matter of pride, and for this I’m deeply grateful.”

Homebound follows the journey of two friends, Mohammad Shoaib (Ishaan Khatter) and Chandan Kumar (Vishal Jethwa), as they prepare for police recruitment exams. Shoaib, employed as an office boy in an MNC, experiences discrimination due to his religion, while Chandan, a Dalit, is subjected to caste-based insults. Both individuals believe that securing a government job, especially one involving a uniform, will enable them to gain the respect that society has not given them. Janhvi Kapoor is also featured in the film, playing a friend of the two, a young PhD aspirant who is also dealing with her own set of restrictions.

The film premiered at Cannes and also won an award at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film is based on a true story that was originally recounted in a 2020 New York Times essay by Basharat Peer. This essay, titled “A Friendship, a Pandemic and a Death Beside the Highway,” tells the experiences of two migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The film marks Neeraj Ghaywan’s return to directing, a decade after his debut film, Masaan.

Homebound will be released in India on September 26.

Also Read: Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa’s Homebound Trailer Highlights Casteism Struggles

While there has been buzz around No Entry Mein Entry, we have learnt the reason behind Salman Khan opting out of the sequel, and it’s because of Arjun Kapoor

Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Fardeen Khan and Bipasha Basu-starrer No Entry is about to complete 20 years since its release. And two decades later, the comic caper is getting a sequel after much anticipation No Entry Mein Entry, but with a completely new cast. While the sequel was teased and talked about multiple times in this while, with Salman Khan hinting at his return, it seems that the superstar won’t be returning for part two and we have got to know why.

Salman Khan, Arjun Kapoor and Boney Kapoor

An insider source tells us that the reason of Salman not coming back has to do not just of professional but also personal reasons. “The truth is simple: Salman’s problem lies with Boney Kapoor (producer) and Arjun Kapoor. That’s why Boney had no option but to re-cast No Entry Mein Entry instead of bringing back the original cast,” the source shares.

For the unversed, there were reports of tensions between Salman and Arjun after the latter started dating Malaika Arora, who was earlier married to Salman’s brother Arbaaz Khan, post her divorce. So, while the interest was there for Salman to return, seems like the tension was too much to overlook.

No Entry Mein Entry is reportedly being made with Varun Dhawan and Arjun Kapoor. Diljit Dosanjh was also a part of the film, but his involvement has been dicey since he got into a controversy over Sardaarji 3 release. Tamannaah Bhatia is also rumoured to have joined the film’s cast.

Recently, Boney had said in an interview that he considers it his “loss” to not have been able to retain the original cast from the film.

News / HTCity / Cinema / Is Salman Khan not a part of No Entry Mein Entry due to Arjun Kapoor? Here’s what we know

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