When Neeraj Ghaywan’s 'Homebound premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival this May, it received a reported nine-minute standing ovation - a moment that instantly put it on the global cinema map. Soon after, the Film Federation of India selected it as the country’s official entry for the 98th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. On paper, the choice made sense: a socially charged Hindi drama about caste, unemployment and migration, backed by strong performances from Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor, and directed by an acclaimed filmmaker known for his empathy and realism. But looking closer, the decision feels more emotional than strategic - and perhaps not the best reflection of India’s cinematic potential on the

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