India's Oscars chance gets a boost: Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1, Anupam Kher’s Tanvi enter Best Picture list

Indian cinema has quietly stepped into the global Oscar conversation once again. As the countdown to the 98th Academy Awards begins, two Indian films, Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 and Tanvi The Great, have made it to the official eligibility list for Best Picture, placing them among 201 feature films in contention this year.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has confirmed the list of films that qualify directly for the Best Picture race, according to Variety. Both Indian titles have met the Academy’s additional eligibility rules, which go beyond standard entry requirements.

What made the films eligible

As per the Academy, films in the Best Picture race must clear several checkpoints. These include a qualifying theatrical run and the submission of a confidential Academy Representation and Inclusion Standards Entry (RAISE) form.


The films also needed to meet at least two of the Academy’s four inclusion standards. In addition, they were required to complete a theatrical engagement in at least 10 of the top 50 US markets within 45 days of their initial release in 2025, Variety reported.

By meeting all these conditions, both Kantara: Chapter 1 and Tanvi The Great have secured their place on the Academy’s long eligibility list.

A crowded Oscar field this year

Earlier in November 2025, the Academy had already announced eligibility lists for Best Documentary, Animated Feature, and International Feature Film categories. Across all categories, a total of 317 films are eligible this year, highlighting the scale of competition Indian films are stepping into.

The official nominations for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced on January 22.

Kantara returns to its roots

Produced by Hombale Films, Kantara: Chapter 1 is a prequel to the 2022 hit and dives into the origins of Daiva worship in Tulunadu. The story traces its setting back to the fourth-century Kadamba dynasty.

Rishab Shetty stars as Berme, a guardian figure who protects the Kantara forest and its tribal communities. The film leans heavily on folklore, mythology, and regional history, elements that helped the original Kantara stand out globally.

Tanvi The Great and its emotional core

Directed by Anupam Kher, Tanvi The Great takes a very different route. The film stars Shubhangi as Tanvi Raina, a young girl with autism who is inspired by her late father’s service in the Indian Army and dreams of wearing the uniform herself.

The film blends themes of neurodiversity, family, and patriotism. Alongside Shubhangi, the cast includes Anupam Kher, Jackie Shroff, Boman Irani, and Karan Tacker in key roles.

India’s Oscar push

With both films now officially eligible, Indian cinema’s Oscar journey this year is less about loud campaigns and more about clearing the Academy’s tough global benchmarks. Whether either film makes it to the final nominations will be known later this month, but for now, India has secured its seat at the table.