Controversy Stirs as Neeraj Ghaywan Omits Cinematographer's Name From "Homebound" Oscar Post
Controversy surrounding cinematographer Pratik Shah. Neeraj Ghaywan's film "Homebound" was recently selected as India's entry for the 2026 Oscars. However, the filmmaker's social media post about the film went viral for intentionally omitting any mention of cinematographer Pratik Shah, who is facing sexual misconduct allegations. This has brought the ongoing #MeToo discussions back into the spotlight.
In a moment of celebration for Indian cinema, filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan's "Homebound" was recently selected as India's official entry for the 2026 Academy Awards. However, the excitement has been overshadowed by a viral controversy surrounding the film's cinematographer, Pratik Shah, who is facing sexual misconduct allegations.
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The controversy ignited after Ghaywan shared a celebratory post on his social media about the Oscar selection. While he tagged and thanked numerous cast and crew members, a glaring omission was noted by many on social media: the name of Pratik Shah, who is credited as the cinematographer in the film's trailer and end credits.
The Allegations Against Pratik Shah
The intentional omission by Ghaywan has brought the #MeToo discussion back into the spotlight. Pratik Shah has been accused of "inappropriate behavior and sexual misconduct" by multiple women, with independent filmmaker Abhinav Singh claiming to have received testimonies from over 20 women. The allegations, which surfaced in mid-2025, suggest a pattern of manipulative behavior and professional conversations turning into se*ual matters.
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Furthermore, reports indicate that Shah was previously flagged by the Indian Women Cinematographers' Collective (IWCC) after a young cinematographer reported inappropriate advances. The professional fallout has been significant, with reports suggesting that Shah has been dropped from an upcoming biopic on former Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly.
Dharma Productions' Stance
Dharma Productions, which produced "Homebound," had previously issued a statement in response to the allegations against Shah. They clarified that Shah was a freelancer on the project for a limited period and that their Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) had not received any complaints against him during his association with the film. The production house emphasized its "zero-tolerance policy against inappropriate behavior and se*ual harassment."
The Industry's Reaction
While Ghaywan has not made a direct public statement on the matter, his social media post is being widely interpreted as a silent but firm stance against the alleged misconduct. Other prominent figures, such as filmmaker Hansal Mehta, have also publicly called for a thorough investigation into the allegations. Mehta stated that "predatory behaviour by men in positions of power must be investigated thoroughly" and that "that silence must be broken."
The controversy has sparked a renewed conversation within the industry about accountability and the need for a safer working environment. As "Homebound" prepares for its theatrical release in India, the discussion around its cinematographer and the #MeToo movement continues to trend, proving that even a film's journey to the Oscars cannot escape the critical lens of public scrutiny.
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