Following the announcement that Karan Johar's "Homebound" has been selected as India's official entry for the 2026 Academy Awards, Bollywood is abuzz with excitement and congratulatory messages. Among those celebrating is Kareena Kapoor Khan, a close friend of Karan Johar, who expressed her joy and support on social media.

Kareena Kapoor Khan took to her Instagram account to congratulate Karan Johar and the entire team behind "Homebound". Sharing a poster of the film, she wrote, "Congratulations to my love @karanjohar. To the incredible @neeraj.ghaywan, @adarpoonawalla, @apoorva1972, @ishaankhatter, @janhvikapoor, @vishaljethwa06, @reem_sameer8, and @dharmamovies. This is one film I can't wait to watch".

"Homebound," directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, features a star-studded cast including Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vishal Jethwa. The film is produced by Dharma Productions, with Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, and Adar Poonawalla serving as producers. The film will compete in the Best International Feature category at the Oscars.

The selection of "Homebound" as India's official entry was revealed on Friday, September 19, by N Chandra in Kolkata. Chandra mentioned that the selection committee had a difficult time choosing from the 24 films in different languages that were in contention. He said that they were looking for films that "have made their mark".

"Homebound" has already garnered international recognition, having premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival 2025, where it received a nine-minute standing ovation. It also secured the second runner-up position for the International People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2025.

The film tells the story of two childhood friends from a small village in North India who dream of becoming police officers. However, their friendship is tested by the pressures and struggles they face as they get closer to their goal. "Homebound" also "documents the socio-political realities of contemporary India and captures the unprecedented displacement of migrant workers across the country following the outbreak of the COVID".

Director Neeraj Ghaywan expressed his gratitude and honor, stating, "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". He added, "To take our stories to the world and represent India on one of the biggest global stages for cinema is both humbling and a matter of pride, and for this I'm extremely grateful".

Karan Johar shared his excitement, saying, "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".

Janhvi Kapoor, one of the film's lead actors, expressed her joy on social media, calling the film "nothing short of a dream". Vishal Jethwa, another lead actor, said that the recognition was "beyond anything I imagined".

Mira Rajput, also congratulated the team, especially her brother-in-law, Ishaan Khatter.

"Homebound" is scheduled for a theatrical release on September 26.