Oscars 2026: Kantara: Chapter 1 and Tanvi The Great make Best Picture eligibility list
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Indian cinema has marked its presence at the 98th Academy Awards, with Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 and Anupam Kher’s Tanvi The Great featuring among 201 feature films eligible for consideration in the Best Picture category.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) released the list of qualifying films, Variety reported. To be eligible, films must satisfy theatrical release criteria and submit the confidential Representation and Inclusion Standards Entry (RAISE) form. They are also required to meet at least two of the Academy’s four inclusion standards and complete a qualifying theatrical run in 10 of the top 50 US markets within 45 days of their 2025 release.
Both Indian films fulfilled these conditions, placing them in contention for Hollywood’s top honour.
Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1, produced by Hombale Films, serves as a prequel to the 2022 hit Kantara and delves into the origins of Daiva worship in Tulunadu, tracing its roots to the fourth-century Kadamba dynasty. Actor-director Rishab Shetty plays Berme, the protector of the forest and its indigenous communities.
Tanvi The Great, directed by Anupam Kher, stars Shubhangi as Tanvi Raina, a young autistic woman who aspires to join the Indian Army, inspired by her late father. The film also features Anupam Kher, Jackie Shroff, Boman Irani, and Karan Tacker.
The nominations for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced on January 22.
The ceremony is scheduled to take place on March 16, 2026, in Los Angeles.