Overview

• The Film Federation of India announced the choice at a Kolkata press conference, with chair N Chandra saying 24 films were considered and the jury reached a unanimous decision.
• Ghaywan’s drama stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor, is produced by Dharma Productions with Martin Scorsese as an executive producer, and drew celebratory reactions from Karan Johar and the director.
• The film premiered in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard to a standing ovation and later finished as second runner-up for TIFF’s People’s Choice Award.
• The story is adapted from Basharat Peer’s 2020 New York Times essay, exploring social identity and pandemic-era hardship through a village friendship.
• An India theatrical release is slated for September 26, positioning the film before the 98th Academy Awards ceremony on March 15, 2026.