Four Indian Titles Make Oscars 2026 Best Picture Eligibility List

Indian cinema has secured a visible presence in the early stage of the Oscars 2026 race, with four Indian films clearing the eligibility bar for the Best Picture category

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that Kannada blockbuster Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 and the Hindi film Tanvi The Great are among 201 feature films eligible to compete for Best Picture at the 98th Academy Awards.

The Academy released its “Reminder List of Productions Eligible for the 98th Academy Awards” recently, marking the stage before official nominations are revealed on January 22.

Along with Kantara, directed by Rishabh Shetty, and Tanvi The Great, directed by Anupam Kher, two other Indian productions have made the list.

These include the multilingual animated film Mahavatar Narsimha and the Tamil film Tourist Family, directed by first-time filmmaker Abishan Jeevinth.

Also featured on the eligibility list is Sister Midnight, a Hindi-language UK–India co-production starring Radhika Apte.

The Academy said a total of 317 feature films are eligible for the 98th Academy Awards, but only 201 meet the additional requirements needed for Best Picture consideration. Being included on the reminder list does not ensure a nomination, as films must still go through multiple rounds of Academy voting.

To qualify for general category consideration, films must have opened in a commercial theater in at least one of six U.S. metropolitan areas — Los Angeles County, New York City, the Bay Area, Chicago, Dallas–Fort Worth, or Atlanta — between January 1 and December 31, 2025.

They must also complete a minimum seven-day consecutive theatrical run at the same venue.

For Best Picture eligibility, films must meet these criteria and submit a confidential Academy Representation and Inclusion Standards Entry form.

They must also satisfy at least two of the four Academy inclusion standards and complete an expanded theatrical run, which includes screening for seven days in 10 of the top 50 U.S. markets within 45 days of their initial release in 2025.

In December 2025, the Academy announced shortlists for 12 categories, including International Feature Film. Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and selected as India’s official entry, was shortlisted among the final 15 films in that category.

The 98th Academy Awards will present honors in 24 categories on March 15. Most categories will have five nominees, while Best Picture will feature 10. Best Picture nominees are chosen by eligible members from all 19 Academy branches, with voting conducted through a secure online ballot.