India Today anchors Rajdeep, Sawant clash over India-Pakistan boycott debate
Noida: A fiery on-air clash erupted between senior India Today journalists Rajdeep Sardesai and Gaurav Sawant during a panel discussion on whether India should boycott Pakistan in sports and culture over terrorism concerns. The debate, which aired as part of the channel’s Democratic Newsroom series on YouTube, quickly turned contentious after Sawant used the phrase "bloody Turks" while making a broader argument about Pakistan’s cultural affiliations.
The segment, which was about exploring cultural ties, diplomatic challenges, and public sentiment surrounding India-Pakistan relations, featured multiple panelists. However, it was an exchange between Sardesai and Sawant that drew sharp attention.
This comes amid Punjabi singer-star Diljit Dosanjh facing criticism for casting Pakistani star Hania Aamir in his upcoming Punjabi film Sardaar Ji 3.
Sawant, argued that India must take a firm position and sever all sporting and cultural ties with Pakistan, citing the global boycott of apartheid-era South Africa as a precedent. "If you have the will, boycott Pakistan and follow it to the hilt. It doesn’t have to take a decade, it may take a century, but just follow it through," he said.
He further questioned the narrative of shared cultural heritage between Indians and Pakistanis, stating, "Some Pakistanis call Arabs or Turks their forefathers, never Indians... they think they are bloody Turks."
This remark immediately drew a sharp response from Sardesai, who interjected, saying, "Look at the language being used." He urged his colleague to maintain "civilised language" during the discussion. "I’m astonished the way you think... you have no clue," Sardesai added.
Sawant retorted, accusing Sardesai of interrupting and failing to counter him on facts. "Was South Africa banned for apartheid or not? I’m giving you facts, and you’re interrupting me," he said, continuing to cite examples of international sporting boycotts. Sardesai dismissed, arguing, "That was not the reason the Cold War ended. Please don’t make foolish arguments."
Sardesai condemned Sawant’s characterisation of Pakistanis. "You’ve damned every Pakistani by claiming they don’t have Indian heritage. What an idiotic statement to make," he said. Sawant defended himself, calling Sardesai’s responses "silly" and insisted he be allowed to finish his point.
The moderator eventually stepped in and diverted the conversation to another panelist, Nikhil, who sided with Sawant on the issue of diplomatic failure. "The entire world came together during apartheid in South Africa. We’ve failed at diplomatic levels. When Pakistan was set to host the Champions Trophy, we tried hard to get those rights revoked. In the end, only our matches were held elsewhere, while the rest happened in Pakistan," Nikhil said.
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'Homebound' makes it to Oscar shortlist for best international feature
Mumbai (PTI): Neeraj Ghaywan's much acclaimed "Homebound" is among the 15 films shortlisted in the best international feature category at the Oscars, moving a step close to the final five nominations and maybe a win.
The movie, inspired by a true story that became the basis of a news article during the pandemic, has been creating a global buzz since its debut in the Un Certain Regard category at the Cannes Film Festival this May.
Hollywood legend Martin Scorsese is a fan and has come onboard as an executive producer ahead of the award season.
Produced by Karan Johar and Adar Poonawalla, and starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor, "Homebound" is Ghaywan's second movie after "Masaan".
"Homebound" will compete for an Oscar nomination alongside Argentina's “Belén”, Brazil's “The Secret Agent”, French drama "It Was Just an Accident”, Germany's "Sound of Falling” and Iraq's "The President's Cake".
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The other movies in the shortlist include Japan's “Kokuho”, Jordan's “All That’s Left of You”, Norway's “Sentimental Value”, Palestine's “Palestine 36”, South Korean hit “No Other Choice”, Spain's “Sirat”, "Late Shift" from Switzerland, “Left-Handed Girl”from Taiwan and Tunisian drama “The Voice of Hind Rajab”, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced in a release on Tuesday.
The award for best foreign film, now re-categorised as best international feature, has so far eluded India.
Only three Indian films have received nominations in the category -- Mehmood Khan’s “Mother India”, Mira Nair’s “Salaam Bombay” and Ashutosh Gowarikar’s “Lagaan”. Deepa Mehta’s “Water”, starring John Abraham and Lisa Ray, also received a nomination but it was submitted from Canada.
Gujarati film "Chhello Show" in 2023 was the last film to get shortlisted.
Costume designer Bhanu Athaiya was the first Indian to get an Oscar, bagging the coveted prize in 1983 for the film "Gandhi". Other than her, A R Rahman, Resul Pukootty and M M Keeravani have also won individual Oscars.
Team "Homebound" celebrated the shortlist news with posts on social media.
"We made the shortlist... Way to go team Homebound'!" Johar shared in Instagram Stories.
In a post, the producer said it was difficult for him to articulate how "proud and elated" he was with the news.
"All of us @dharmamovies are privileged to have this proud and important film in our filmography... thank you @neeraj.ghaywan for making so many dreams of ours come true... from Cannes to being on the Oscar shortlist this has been such an overwhelming journey! Love to the entire cast and crew and teams of this special special film! Upwards and onwards...."
Ghaywan also shared the news on X.
"#Homebound has been shortlisted for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards! We are deeply grateful for the extraordinary love and support we've received from around the world," he wrote on X with a special poster of the film.
Jethwa, who plays one of the two friends in the story opposite Ishaan Khatter, said the moment feels "surreal and incredibly humbling".
"To see 'Homebound' being shortlisted and progressing towards the Oscars is something I could have only dreamed of. I am deeply grateful for the love and support the film has received from audiences around the world," he said as he acknowledged Johar, Ghaywan and co-star Khatter and the rest of the team.
Khatter also shared the news on his Instagram stories and wrote, "Oscar ab dur nahi".
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"Homebound" is inspired by journalist Basharat Peer's The New York Times article “Taking Amrit Home”, also titled "A Friendship, a Pandemic and a Death Beside the Highway".
The film portrays the childhood friendship between a Muslim and Dalit who chase a police job that promises them the dignity they have long been denied due to their surnames.
The Academy on Tuesday also announced shortlists in 11 other categories, including the newly added casting Oscars, animated shorts, cinematography, documentary feature, documentary short, original score and song, sound and visual effects categories.
Nominations for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
Twenty-four categories will be awarded at the 98th Oscars. Each category has five nominees, except for best picture, which has 10.
The 98th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
