Homebound
Drama Hindi
Two childhood friends from a small North Indian village chase a police job that promises them the dignity they’ve long been denied. But as they inch closer to their dream, mounting desperation threatens the bond that holds them together.
| Cast: | Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, Janhvi Kapoor, |
|---|---|
| Director: | Neeraj Ghaywan |
| Editor: | Nitin Baid |
| Camera: | Pratik Shah |
Guild Reviews
A Spotify Review
Param Sundari, the new film starring Janhvi Kapoor and Sidharth Malhotra, seems to make things up as it goes along. We discuss the offensive cultural appropriation in every frame of the film, the odd motivations of its protagonists, and the film’s reliance on cultural stereotypes. We also talk about Janhvi Kapoor’s wardrobe, a potentially incendiary scene set inside a church, and how Bollywood filmmakers continue to fail upwards.
A Spotify Review
Homebound, Neeraj Ghaywan’s second feature film in a decade, is well worth the wait. Already selected as India’s official entry for the 2026 Oscars, Homebound is just as moving as Ghaywan’s widely admired debut film, Masaan. We discuss its poetic storytelling, deeply empathetic eye, and the fabulous central performances of Vishal Jethwa and Ishaan Khatter. We also talk about its daring, humanist approach to spotlighting minority communities, and how a tragedy like the COVID-19 pandemic affected them. Later in the episode, we discuss the film’s chances at the Oscars.
Neeraj Ghaywan’s film reminds you of your privilege in a hard-hitting way
Homebound is a story of two best friends from the less fortunate backgrounds and what all they go through because of their identities. Mohammed Shoaib Ali (Ishaan Khatter) and Chandan Kumar (Vishal Jethwa) hail from a small town in India. The families of both lead a life of poverty. But that’s not all. Shoaib and Chandan also regularly face discrimination on the basis of their religion and caste respectively.
Stories of struggle and survival
Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and written with Varun Grover, Shreedhar Dubey, and Sumit Roy, is a poignant exploration of caste, faith, friendship, and survival in contemporary India. The marginalised have never had it easy—but in our own fractured land, their journey is not just arduous, it is often soul-scarring, as Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound reveals. Arnab Banerjee’s review of the film. With unforgettable performances, sharp social commentary, and emotional depth, Homebound stands as an unflinching cinematic mirror to caste oppression, religious prejudice, and human dignity in India today.
A moving portrait of friendship against the backdrop of bigotry
Chandan Kumar (Vishal Jethwa) and Mohammed Shoaib (Ishaan Khatter) are besties with dreams of becoming police constables. Clearing the police recruitment examination, though, is not simply about earning a livelihood and supporting their families but a way to garner respect in a society that trivialises them for their background and identity.
A film that stays with you long after it’s over
हक और पहचान मांगती ‘होमबाउंड’h
‘होमबाउंड’ इस साल भारत की ओर से ऑस्कर पुरस्कार के लिए ऑफिशियल एंट्री के तौर पर भेजी गई है। 2015 में अपनी पहली फिल्म ‘मसान’ से प्रशंसाएं पाकर सबकी नजरों में आए निर्देशक नीरज घेवान की इस फिल्म को कान और टोरंटों जैसे प्रतिष्ठित फिल्मोत्सवों में सराहना मिल चुकी है।
Pride and Prejudices
A decade is a significant interval between the release of the first and second feature film - it took a long time coming but it arrived well. After he made his debut with Masaan (2015) which resonated deeply with audiences, Neeraj Ghaywan has produced another remarkable film with Homebound, a work that is rich in empathy and emotion.
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