Which Indian Films Are Competing for the Oscars 2026? Discover the Exciting Nominees!
Indian Films in the Oscars Race
Los Angeles: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has revealed that four Indian films, including the Kannada hit Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 and the Hindi feature Tanvi The Great, are in the running for the Best Picture award at the upcoming Oscars 2026.
On Thursday, the Academy published the 'Reminder List of Productions Eligible for the 98th Academy Awards'. This list includes films that meet the necessary criteria for consideration in major categories, such as Best Picture, ahead of the nominations set to be announced on January 22.
In addition to Rishabh Shetty's Kantara and Anupam Kher's directorial debut, the other two Indian entries are the multilingual animated feature Mahavatar Narsimha and Tourist Family, directed by newcomer Abishan Jeevinth.
Also making the list is Sister Midnight, a Hindi-language co-production between the UK and India, featuring Radhika Apte.
The Academy confirmed that a total of 317 feature films are eligible for the 98th Academy Awards, with 201 of those meeting the additional criteria for Best Picture consideration.
However, being included in this reminder list does not guarantee a nomination, as films must still go through the Academy's voting process.
To qualify for general entry categories, films must have premiered in a commercial theater in at least one of six major US metropolitan areas—Los Angeles County, New York City, the Bay Area, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Atlanta—between January 1 and December 31, 2025. They must also have a minimum run of seven consecutive days at the same venue.
For Best Picture eligibility, films must meet the general criteria and submit a confidential Academy Representation and Inclusion Standards Entry (RAISE) form. They are also required to fulfill at least two of the four Academy inclusion standards and have a theatrical run in 10 of the top 50 US markets within 45 days of their initial release in 2025.
In December 2025, the Academy will announce its Oscars shortlists for 12 categories, including International Feature Film. Neeraj Ghaywan's Homebound, which is India's official entry this year, has already been shortlisted among 15 films in that category.
The 98th Oscars will award a total of 24 categories on March 15, with five nominees in each category, except for Best Picture, which will feature 10 nominees.
Nominations for Best Picture will be determined by eligible members from all 19 Academy branches, with all voting conducted via a secret online ballot.
In 2025, the Academy had announced a list of 323 feature films eligible for the 97th Academy Awards, which included 11 Indian titles.
Among those were Payal Kapadia's All We Imagine As Light, Shuchi Talati's Girls Will Be Girls, Kiran Rao's Laapataa Ladies, and Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, starring Randeep Hooda.