Indian cinema’s presence at the 98th Academy Awards is steadily gaining momentum. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has officially unveiled a list of 201 feature films eligible for consideration in the Best Picture category, confirming that these titles have fulfilled all additional eligibility requirements beyond standard submissions.
Among the Indian films making headlines are Anupam Kher’s Tanvi The Great and Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1, both of which have adopted a strategic route towards international recognition by securing a place on the Academy’s eligibility list. Their inclusion signals growing global attention towards diverse Indian narratives, spanning intimate human drama and culturally rooted mythology.
This development follows another major boost for Indian cinema, with Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound earning a spot among the Top 15 shortlisted films in the International Feature Film category earlier this season. Together, these milestones suggest a promising year for Indian filmmakers at the Oscars.
In November 2025, AMPAS had announced 317 eligible films across the Best Documentary, Animated Feature, and International Feature Film categories. With anticipation now building, the official Oscar nominations are scheduled to be announced on January 22, a date keenly awaited by the global film community.
Directed by Anupam Kher, Tanvi The Great stars Shubhangi in the role of Tanvi Raina, a young girl inspired by her late father’s service in the Indian Army. The film sensitively explores themes of autism, resilience, and patriotism, as Tanvi sets out to honour her father’s legacy and dreams of following in his footsteps.
On the other end of the spectrum, Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1, produced by Hombale Films, delves deep into the ancient traditions of Daiva worship in Tulunadu, tracing its origins to the fourth-century Kadamba dynasty. Rishab Shetty plays Berme, the fierce protector of the Kantara forest and its indigenous people, in a story that blends mythology, history and cultural identity on an epic scale.
Tanvi The Great is produced by Anupam Kher Studios in association with NFDC, with global distribution handled by Excel Entertainment, led by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar, and AA Films, led by Anil Thadani.
With multiple Indian films making notable inroads into the Oscar race, this year is shaping up to be a defining moment in Indian cinema’s expanding global footprint.
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