Oscar 2026: 'Kantara: Chapter 1' and 'Mahavatar Narsimha' Earn General Entry List Spots

Mumbai: Two big Indian films, 'Kantara: Chapter 1' and 'Mahavatar Narsimha', have landed on the 2026 Oscars General Entry List on Friday. This means they are officially in the pool of films now eligible for consideration across major Academy Award categories. 

The announcement has stirred excitement in Bollywood and regional cinema circles. 

Which films made it and why it matters?

'Kantara: Chapter 1', a much-talked-about prequel directed by Rishab Shetty, and 'Mahavatar Narsimha', an ambitious animated feature, were both submitted by their producers for consideration at the 98th Academy Awards. 

Inclusion on the general entry list doesn’t guarantee a nomination. But it does mean the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences can now seriously review them for top honours, including Best Picture, Best Director, and acting and technical awards, if they make it past later voting rounds.

For Indian cinema, the news is symbolic. Out of five Indian films on this year’s general Oscar entry list, two come from the same production house, Hombale Films. That’s a rare achievement, underlining the banner’s rising global profile. 

What are these films about?

'Kantara: Chapter 1' takes audiences back to a mythic past in Karnataka. It explores folk traditions, tribal resistance, and spiritual themes, wrapped in high-end visuals and storytelling. The project has been praised for its depth and cinematic scale.

'Mahavatar Narsimha' breaks new ground as one of the country's largest animated mythological films. It charts the story of the half-man, half-lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu and has already done well commercially, with releases in multiple Indian languages.

What's next in the Oscars journey?

Making the general entry list is the first step. The Academy will now review all eligible films and, later this month, announce the official nominations across categories. Final winners will be revealed at the Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles in March 2026.

For now, both 'Kantara' and 'Mahavatar Narsimha' join a growing list of Indian films pushing for recognition on Hollywood’s biggest stage. This is a moment many in the Indian film industry see as a sign of its expanding global reach and influence.

Inclusion on the general entry list is not the same as being nominated. Films must still clear further Academy voting rounds to earn official Oscar nominations.