Mumbai, March 16: At the 98th Academy Awards, India’s official entry, the film ‘Homebound’ directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, made it to the top 15 shortlist for Best International Feature Film but did not reach the final nominations. The prestigious award was claimed by Norway’s film ‘Sentimental Value’, marking a historic win.
The Academy announced the victory on its official social media platform, X, stating, “Norway has made its mark on the world stage. Congratulations to ‘Sentimental Value’ for winning this year’s Oscar for Best International Feature Film.”
Although ‘Homebound’ did not officially enter the Oscars this year, it was still a moment of pride for India, especially as Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra presented the award in this category. Priyanka took the stage alongside Javier Bardem to hand over the Oscar to the team of ‘Sentimental Value’.
Prior to its Oscar win, ‘Sentimental Value’ received significant acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival. Neeraj Ghaywan’s ‘Homebound’ also garnered praise at the 78th Cannes Film Festival in 2025, where it received a nine-minute standing ovation during its premiere in the prestigious ‘Un Certain Regard’ section. It was the only Indian feature film selected for Cannes that year.
The film portrays the story of two friends, Chandan and Shoaib, from a small village in North India, who dream of earning respect by wearing police uniforms. Their struggle to secure police jobs, social dynamics, friendship, and their journey home during the COVID-19 pandemic highlight the harsh realities of caste discrimination and poverty.
On the other hand, ‘Sentimental Value’ is directed by renowned Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Trier, known for his ‘Oslo Trilogy’. Released in August 2025, the film received a total of nine Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. It is a family drama centered around the complexities of relationships between an aging film director and his daughters, with Renate Reinsve delivering a stellar performance.
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My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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