The lights of the Dolby Theatre were far removed from the quiet, dusty lanes of the chawl. That’s where Vishal first learned to dream. But as the news broke on a crisp January morning in 2026, the distance didn’t feel quite so vast anymore.
Homebound is a raw, visceral story of displacement and the search for belonging. Sadly, it had missed the final five for the Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards. Yet, for Vishal Jethwa, the silence that followed the announcement wasn’t one of defeat. It was one of profound realization.
The journey had begun two years prior, under the sensitive direction of Neeraj Ghaywan. Vishal worked with Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor. He had poured every ounce of his modest, local upbringing into a character. This character mirrored his own grit. The film was shortlisted in the final 15. It was selected from a staggering 86 global entries. As a result, the world started to feel a little smaller. His dreams also seemed a little more reachable.
Standing on his balcony, Vishal looked out at the city. This city had seen him grow from a hopeful boy into a global representative of Indian cinema. He took to his notes to pen a message to those who had walked the path with him.
“While we didn’t make it to the final nominations, being shortlisted among the final 15 films from 86 entries itself has been deeply humbling for me,” he wrote. “I come from a very modest, local space, where dreams often feel distant, so to see Homebound travel this far and represent India on a global platform already feels extraordinary,” Vishal said.
He reflected on the power of the medium that had changed his life, noting that the experience had “strengthened my belief in honest storytelling and in cinema that comes from the heart.” To Vishal, the Oscar campaign wasn’t just about a golden statue; it was a testament to “how far belief, perseverance, and sincerity can take you.”
Vishal made sure to acknowledge the titans who had stood behind the project. He thanked Ghaywan for his piercing vision. He also thanked Karan Johar for lending his platform to a story. Without this help, the story might have remained unheard. He saved a special mention for his “inspiring collaborators,” Ishaan and Janhvi. Their chemistry turned a script into a living, breathing piece of art.
As the sun set over Mumbai, Vishal felt a sense of peace. The “final list” was just a list, but the journey of Homebound was a permanent mark on his soul. “I carry this experience with pride and gratitude,” he concluded, his eyes already looking toward the scripts piled on his desk, “and look forward to what lies ahead.”
For a boy from a modest space, the Oscars were no longer a distant dream. They were a destination he now knew the way to.
Unsung bollywood 