A decade after his stunning directorial debut with Masaan, Neeraj Ghaywan returns to the silver screen with Homebound, a film that has already cemented its place as a modern masterpiece of Indian social realism. Executive produced by the legendary Martin Scorsese and backed by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, Homebound is not just a film; it is a searing document of friendship, systemic failure, and the brutal realities of the “Indian Dream.”
Following its world premiere at the 78th Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section—where it received a thunderous nine-minute standing ovation—the film has been selected as India’s official entry for the 98th Academy Awards. Based on the 2020 New York Times article by Basharat Peer, the movie translates a viral tragedy into a profound cinematic exploration of caste, religion, and the pandemic.
The Narrative: A Tale of Two Ambitions
Set against the backdrop of a politically divided and socially stratified North India, Homebound follows the lives of two childhood best friends: Shoaib (Ishaan Khatter) and Chandan (Vishal Jethwa).
The Pursuit of Dignity
For Shoaib, a Muslim, and Chandan, a Dalit, the path to respectability is singular: the national police recruitment exam. The film brilliantly illustrates the staggering “arithmetic of ambition” in India, where the duo is among 2.5 million applicants vying for a mere 3,500 police jobs. To them, the khaki uniform is more than a paycheck; it is armor against the daily humiliations of their social standing. They believe that once they represent the state, their identities as “others” will finally be erased.
A Friendship Under Pressure
As the results of the exam are delayed for over a year, the economic pressures of their village life begin to mount. Shoaib’s father is disabled and unable to work, while Chandan’s mother works as a cook but is barred from the kitchen due to her caste. The film meticulously tracks how their bond is tested not by their own choices, but by a world that insists on treating them as numbers. While Shoaib takes a menial job where he faces casual Islamophobia, Chandan struggles with the guilt of his sister, Vaishali, having to sacrifice her education to support his dreams.
Directorial Vision: Neeraj Ghaywan’s Return
Neeraj Ghaywan’s sophomore feature proves that his ability to capture “grief and silence” has only deepened with time. Unlike the technical acrobatics often seen in contemporary cinema, Ghaywan opts for a grounded, empathetic style that prioritizes the lived experience of his characters.
Authenticity Through Research
Ghaywan’s commitment to realism extended behind the scenes. He reportedly had his lead actors read B.R. Ambedkar’s Annihilation of Caste and spend weeks living in North Indian villages to understand the rhythm of life on the margins. This dedication is visible in every frame, from the way a character holds a cup of tea to the “cracked heel of a slipper” that speaks volumes about their poverty.
The Scorsese Connection
The involvement of Martin Scorsese as an Executive Producer added a layer of international prestige to the project. Scorsese was reportedly drawn to Ghaywan’s ability to weave political commentary into a deeply personal narrative. This partnership highlights the film’s universal appeal; while specifically Indian in its context, the themes of state abandonment and the resilience of the human spirit resonate globally.
The Heart of the Film: Performances and Craft
The success of Homebound rests heavily on the shoulders of its young leads, who deliver what many critics consider the performances of their careers.
Khatter and Jethwa: A Dynamic Duo
Ishaan Khatter plays Shoaib with a “methodical, intuitive sensitivity,” capturing the quiet rage of a young man who loves a country that doesn’t always love him back. Vishal Jethwa, as Chandan, is the film’s emotional anchor. His portrayal of a bright, ambitious young man refusing to accept defeat—even as the roof of his house literally falls apart—is nothing short of transformative.
Visual and Auditory Landscape
Cinematographer Pratik Shah uses shallow focus and naturalistic lighting to create an intimate, almost claustrophobic atmosphere. The lush yet haunting visuals of the North Indian countryside contrast sharply with the “eerie, heartbreaking beauty” of the final act. The score, composed by Naren Chandavarkar and Benedict Taylor, eschews typical Bollywood melodrama for subtle Indian rhythms and orchestral swells that emphasize the film’s somber tone.
The Final Act: The Long Walk Home
The film’s climax coincides with the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, shifting the narrative from a coming-of-age drama to a survival epic. It recreates the devastating exodus of migrant workers forced to walk hundreds of kilometers after the sudden announcement of the national lockdown.
A Tragic Culmination
Inspired by the real-life story of Mohammad Saiyub and Amrit Kumar, the film’s conclusion is a gut-wrenching depiction of loss. As they trek toward their village in an overcrowded truck, Chandan falls ill with severe dehydration. In a scene of profound irony, the two men find themselves on the receiving end of the same police force they once dreamed of joining—harassed and eventually cast out onto the highway. The image of Shoaib cradling a dying Chandan on the side of the road has become the film’s most enduring and controversial image, serving as a powerful indictment of institutional indifference.
Conclusion: A Mirror to Modern India
Homebound is a difficult but essential watch. It refuses to offer easy answers or a traditional “Bollywood” happy ending. Instead, Neeraj Ghaywan leaves the audience with a “bittersweet space” of resilience and hope. By focusing on the “invisible population” of India, the film forces a confrontation with the structural violence that persists in the shadows of progress. As it heads toward the Academy Awards, Homebound stands as a testament to the power of cinema to act as a witness to the truths that history might otherwise forget.
Also read: ‘Dhurandhar’ (2025) – The Rebirth of an Epic: Everything We Know