Vishal Jethwa eyes regional films after Oscar nod

Actor Vishal Jethwa, whose film Homebound is India’s official entry for the Oscars in the Best International Feature Film category, said he wants to work across regional cinema and does not see movies through the lens of language. He told IANS he is open to Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Gujarati projects, calling each industry a unique space for emotion, culture, and rhythm.

He said he does not wish to be labeled a Hindi or Bollywood actor and hopes to be known simply as an Indian actor—one who belongs to all who love cinema. He believes audiences today care less about a story’s origin and more about how it moves them, and he aims to connect through sincere performances.

Homebound, directed by National Award winner Neeraj Ghaywan and produced by Dharma Productions, follows two village friends in North India striving to become police officers. Their bond fractures under pressure as they near their goal. The film stars Janhvi Kapoor and Ishaan Khatter, premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, and earned a nine-minute standing ovation.

Vishal began acting in 2013 as Akbar in Bharat Ka Veer Putra – Maharana Pratap. He later played Bali in Sankatmochan Mahabali Hanuman and a terrorist in Diya Aur Baati Hum. He made his Hindi film debut as the antagonist in Mardaani 2 in 2019.