With the nominations for the 98th Academy Awards set to hit the stage today in Beverly Hills, the global film fraternity has turned their eyes to the Samuel Goldwyn Theater. But today, the stakes for Indian cinema are very high, and Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound remains in the race for Best International Feature Film.
When and Where to Watch Out in India?
Nomination announcement is international news, but Indian audiences have to tune in late in the evening.
- Date: Thursday, January 22, 2026.
- When: 7:00 PM IST (8:30 AM ET / 5:30 AM PT).
Streaming Platforms:
- JioHotstar: Official streaming partner for the Oscars in India.
- YouTube: The Academy will organize a worldwide live stream on its official YouTube channel.
- Official Sites: You can also watch live on Oscar.com and Oscar.org.
- Social media: News will go live on the Academy’s Instagram, Facebook and TikTok handles.
The Hosts for the Morning
In response, the Academy has enlisted two upstarts to announce the nominees across 24 categories:
Danielle Brooks: Oscar-nominated star of The Color Purple and Peacemaker.
Lewis Pullman: A man best known for his roles in Top Gun: Maverick and Lessons in Chemistry.
On March 15, 2026, the ceremony will welcome late-night legend Conan O’Brien back as the host, for the second consecutive year.
India’s ‘Homebound’ spotlight
With its official debut, Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and produced by Karan Johar, India passed through its first serious obstacle of making the final shortlist of 15 films. Starring Ishaan Khatter alongside Vishal Jethwa, the film is a heart-wrenching reflection on dignity and survival amid India’s socio-political context. This is the first Indian film in history to be nominated in this category since Lagaan (2001).
Big Categories & Predictions
Homebound is a local favorite, but in the field global competition is almost completely by giants from all over the world:
Leading contenders: Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another and A24’s Marty Supreme (played by Timothée Chalamet) are expected to top the nominations.
New category: The Academy will award the Best Casting Oscar for the very first time in its history, acknowledging those people who work together with a film's ensemble. The key performance-making specialists who can bring the film's finest actors together into one package are still fresh. India's film industry is waiting for Homebound to take the hallowed halls of the Academy's final five with bated breath just as the 7:00 PM IST deadline approaches.
