Filmmaker-producer Karan Joharhas spoken candidly about the harsh reality of Oscars campaigning, calling it a bottomless pit in terms of money and effort. His comments come after Neeraj Ghaywan’s film Homebound, backed by Dharma Productions, made it to the Top 15 shortlist in the Best International Feature Film category at the 2026 Academy Awards.
In an interaction with PeepingMoon and Telly MEK, Karan described Homebound as a deeply personal film for the team, clarifying that it was never made for profit. Instead, he said it was driven by passion and creative conviction.
Karan Johar On Homebound Oscar CampaignView this post on InstagramA post shared by Dharma Productions (@dharmamovies)
Johar explained that the Oscars raceisn’t just about submitting a film. It requires constant visibility in the West. According to him, once the campaign begins, it becomes unpredictable because there’s no guarantee a film will progress from the longlist to the Top 15, and then to the final Top 5 nominations.
In simpler words, Karan’s point was: you keep spending without knowing whether you’ll get results, which is why he called the campaign a bottomless pit.
He also broke down what campaigning actually involves: hiring international publicists, travelling, organising screenings, doing global media interactions, and maintaining visibility abroad.
Karan also spoke about how his business partner, Adar Poonawalla, reacted when told about the financial demands of the Oscars push. Johar said Adar wasn’t overly concerned about the spending and instead saw it as an opportunity worth taking for a film like Homebound.
In a straightforward takeaway from Karan’s comments: this wasn’t about profit, but about building credibility and giving the film the best possible chance on a global stage.
Johar also reiterated that despite selling a 50% stake in Dharma Productions to Poonawalla, he continues to remain firmly involved as the company’s creative leader, adding that Adar does not interfere in the creative process.
About HomeboundHomebound is based on the lives of two migrant workers navigating a desperate journey back home during the COVID-19 lockdown. The film stars Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa, with Janhvi Kapoor in a pivotal role.
With Oscar campaigning now widely recognised as one of the toughest parts of awards season, Johar’s remarks offer a rare behind-the-scenes look at the price of global prestige and the passion it takes to pursue it.
Also Read: Sidharth Malhotra’s Vvan – Force of the Forest Postponed Again to Avoid Bhooth Bangla ClashThe post Karan Johar Opens Up On Homebound’s Oscar Campaigning, Calls It A “Bottomless Pit” first appeared on MissMalini.
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