Kantara 2, Mahavatar Narsimha, Sister Midnight, Tanvi the Great and Tourist Family secure eligibility to compete in Oscar Best Picture race

According to Variety, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) recently announced the full roster of films that meet the eligibility requirements for the coveted Best Picture race. These requirements extend beyond standard submission rules and include a qualifying theatrical release, completion of the confidential Academy Representation and Inclusion Standards Entry (RAISE) form, and adherence to at least two of the four Academy inclusion standards. Additionally, each film must complete a qualifying theatrical engagement in at least 10 of the top 50 U.S. markets within 45 days of its initial release in 2025. By meeting these criteria, all five Indian films have made themselves eligible for the competition race for Best Picture.

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How This Differs from Homebound’s Oscar Shortlisting

While all these films, Kantara: Chapter 1, Mahavatar Narsimha, Sister Midnight, Tourist Family, and Tanvi the Great, compete in the prestigious Best Picture category, their journey differs from that of Homebound. The latter was India’s official submission for Best International Feature — the category renowned for its intense competition — and further distinguished itself by making the shortlist of 15 finalists, earning recognition on a global stage. In contrast, all these five films are individually submitted projects, aiming directly for a place among the Academy’s Best Picture nominees.

Final nominations for all categories will be announced on January 22. Each category will have five nominees, except for best picture, which will include 10.