Indian cinema is making headlines around the globe as five homegrown films have achieved a historic milestone by qualifying for the Best Picture category at the 98th Academy Awards, set to take place in March 2026. The films—Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1, Tanvi The Great, Tourist Family, Mahavatar Narsimha, and Sister Midnight—have joined a select group of 201 productions that met the Academy’s rigorous standards, signaling a new era for Indian storytelling on the world’s biggest stage. Meanwhile, Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound stands tall as India’s official entry, having already advanced to the shortlist of 15 finalists for Best International Feature Film out of 86 competing nations, according to coverage from multiple Indian media outlets.
To understand the significance of this moment, it’s worth looking at the journey these films undertook. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) requires that contenders for Best Picture not only complete a qualifying theatrical run in at least ten of the top fifty U.S. markets but also meet at least two of the four Academy Representation and Inclusion Standards (RAISE). This is no small feat, especially for international productions. As reported by News18 and Cricket Duniya, these five Indian entries cleared these hurdles, earning a coveted spot on the Academy’s “Reminder List” for the 2026 ceremony.
Let’s meet the contenders. Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 is the much-anticipated prequel to the 2022 hit, bringing the spiritual and mythological heritage of Tulunadu to a global audience. Rishab Shetty’s direction has been lauded for its immersive storytelling and visual grandeur. Tanvi The Great, directed by Anupam Kher in his debut behind the camera, tells the moving story of a young girl with autism and her profound connection to the Indian Army, a narrative that has resonated with audiences and critics alike. Then there’s Tourist Family, a Tamil-language feature helmed by first-time director Abishan Jeevinth and co-produced by M. Sasikumar. This film’s international appeal has taken many by surprise, especially given its indie roots.
Animation finds its champion in Mahavatar Narsimha, a mythological epic that retells the story of Lord Vishnu’s fourth avatar. Notably, it has qualified for both Best Picture and Best Animated Feature, making it a landmark for Indian animation at the Oscars. Rounding out the lineup is Sister Midnight, a genre-blending UK-India co-production starring Radhika Apte, which has been a darling at film festivals throughout 2025. These films, as highlighted by OTTplay and other outlets, are now available for streaming on platforms like JioHotstar and OTTplay Premium, making them accessible to audiences worldwide.
But what does it really mean to "qualify" for the Oscars? As Cricket Duniya explains, qualifying is the essential first step on the road to a nomination. To be eligible for Best Picture, a film must complete a seven-day commercial theatrical run in at least one of six major U.S. metropolitan areas—Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco Bay Area, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, or Atlanta—between January 1 and December 31 of the previous year. Only then can it be considered among the general entry list, which this year included 317 films across twelve categories. The Academy then narrows this list down through a rigorous voting process.
The nomination voting period for the 98th Academy Awards runs from January 12 to January 16, 2026. During this time, the Academy’s roughly 10,000 members will cast their ballots across 24 categories, with the final list of nominees—five per category, except for Best Picture, which allows ten—set to be announced on January 22. The awards ceremony itself is scheduled for March 15, 2026, and anticipation is running high, especially among Indian filmmakers and audiences who see this as a watershed moment for their industry.
In addition to the five general entries, Homebound has been making waves in the International Feature Film category. Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, the film has already cleared a major hurdle by making the shortlist—a feat not achieved by an Indian film in over two decades. As Cricket Duniya notes, if Homebound secures a final nomination, it will join the elite company of classics like Mother India, Salaam Bombay!, and Lagaan.
This year’s strong showing is not just a matter of numbers but a reflection of a strategic shift in Indian cinema’s approach to the global market. Instead of waiting for domestic acclaim, filmmakers are increasingly positioning their work for international audiences from the outset. The diversity on display—from the high-octane animation of Mahavatar Narsimha to the grounded, relatable narrative of Tourist Family—demonstrates that Indian cinema is anything but monolithic. It is, in fact, a powerhouse of varied, world-class storytelling with something to offer for everyone.
It’s also important to note, as OTTplay points out, that while making the general entry list is a significant achievement, it does not guarantee a nomination. Last year, for example, seven Indian films were on the general entry list, but only the official entry advanced to the next round. The real test begins now, as Academy members watch, deliberate, and vote on which films will ultimately compete for the iconic golden statuette.
The excitement is palpable not just among filmmakers but also among Indian audiences, who are tuning in to streaming platforms to catch these Oscar hopefuls. With Tourist Family and Sister Midnight available on JioHotstar and OTTplay Premium, viewers have a front-row seat to what could be a defining moment in Indian cinematic history.
As the world awaits the final nominations and the glitz of the Oscars ceremony, one thing is clear: Indian cinema has arrived on the global stage, not just as a participant but as a serious contender. The journey from qualifying to winning is a long one, but for these filmmakers and their fans, the recognition alone is a testament to the power and potential of Indian stories to captivate audiences everywhere.
