Anurag Basu Left Speechless by Homebound: 'Never Been So Affected' by a Film

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Bollywood director Anurag Basu has expressed his profound admiration for the film Homebound, stating that it left him feeling 'small' and emotionally affected. The film, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, has been shortlisted for the 98th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. In an interview, Anurag revealed that watching Homebound had a profound impact on him, saying, "Cinema is so good that even if you're not going to meet those people and be in that situation, you live that moment sitting in a theatre." He specifically mentioned the scene featuring Shalini Vatsa's chappal, which left him shaken. This is not the first time Anurag has praised Homebound. In a previous tweet, he called the film "a timely, aching film that deserves every conversation and, yes, an Oscar nod." Homebound, which stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, follows the story of childhood friends Shoaib and Chandan, and their shared dream of joining the police force. The film has been receiving widespread acclaim, including a grand entry on Netflix and screenings at prominent film festivals such as Cannes and Toronto International Film Festival. Homebound is inspired by journalist Basharat Peer's article Taking Amrit Home. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has recently announced shortlists across 12 categories, with 15 films advancing in the Best International Feature Film category. Along with Homebound, other shortlisted films include Belén, The Secret Agent, and Palestine 36. The final nominations will be announced on January 22, 2026.