Rishab Shetty’s Kantara Chapter 1, Anupam Kher’s Tanvi the Great secure eligibility to compete in the Best Picture category at the Oscars

Kantara Chapter 1 and Tanvi the Great are now eligible for consideration at the 98th Academy Awards.

As January unfolds, anticipation for the upcoming Academy Awards is rising, particularly for India, which has reason to celebrate this year. Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound, India’s official submission for the Oscars, has already made headlines by securing a spot among the 15 shortlisted films in the Best International Feature category. Adding further excitement, two additional Indian films, Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1 and Anupam Kher’s Tanvi the Great, have been included in the list of 201 feature films eligible for consideration in the Best Picture category at the 98th Academy Awards.

According to Variety, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) recently announced the full roster of films that meet the eligibility requirements for the coveted Best Picture race. These requirements extend beyond standard submission rules and include a qualifying theatrical release, completion of the confidential Academy Representation and Inclusion Standards Entry (RAISE) form, and adherence to at least two of the four Academy inclusion standards. Additionally, each film must complete a qualifying theatrical engagement in at least 10 of the top 50 U.S. markets within 45 days of its initial release in 2025. By meeting these criteria, both Kantara and Tanvi the Great have positioned themselves as potential global contenders.

While Kantara Chapter 1 and Tanvi the Great compete in the most prestigious Best Picture category, their journey differs from that of Homebound. The latter was India’s official submission for Best International Feature — the category renowned for its intense competition — and further distinguished itself by making the shortlist of 15 finalists, earning recognition on a global stage. In contrast, Kantara and Tanvi the Great are individually submitted projects, aiming directly for a place among the Academy’s Best Picture nominees.

Final nominations for all categories will be announced on January 22.