Homebound (2025): Neeraj Ghaywan’s Stirring Tale of Friendship, Dreams, and Survival

From acclaimed director Neeraj Ghaywan, the filmmaker behind Masaan and Geeli Pucchi, comes another hard-hitting story rooted in truth — Homebound. Based on Basharat Peer's moving 2020 New York Times article “A Friendship, a Pandemic and a Death Beside the Highway”, this drama explores the weight of dreams, the bonds of friendship, and the crushing realities of class and opportunity in modern India.

The film stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor in lead roles, and is produced under Dharma Productions, with Martin Scorsese serving as executive producer. Having premiered at Cannes 2025 in the Un Certain Regard section, it is also India’s official entry for the 98th Academy Awards. Homebound is set to release in Indian theatres on 26 September 2025.

🚆 A Journey from Village Dust to Uniform Dreams

At its heart, Homebound tells the story of Chandan Kumar (Vishal Jethwa) and Mohammed Shoaib Ali (Ishaan Khatter) — two childhood friends from a small North Indian village. They share a single dream: to crack the national police exam and secure a job that will give them the respect and dignity they’ve long been denied.

But as they inch closer to their goal, pressures of caste, family expectations, financial survival, and personal struggles begin to weigh down their friendship. Their journey isn’t just about clearing an exam — it’s about whether their bond can survive the crushing system they are trying to break into.

As Janhvi Kapoor’s Sudha Bharti enters their story, the stakes grow even higher, testing love, loyalty, and ambition.

“Sometimes, chasing dignity means risking the very bond that gives life its meaning.”

🌍 Realism Meets Cinematic Power

Neeraj Ghaywan has built a reputation for crafting stories that are raw yet deeply poetic. In Homebound, he weaves together Basharat Peer’s true story with a cinematic lens that captures both the struggles of rural India and the desperate hope for a better tomorrow.

The film is layered with:

• Emotional authenticity — the heartbreak of families left behind in pursuit of dreams.

• Socio-political depth — caste divides, systemic inequality, and the fragile promise of government jobs.

• Personal conflict — the tragedy of friendship being tested in the face of desperation.

With music by Amit Trivedi, and background score by Naren Chandravarkar & Benedict Taylor, the film promises an evocative soundscape that complements its poignant narrative.

🎭 Cast and Characters

• Vishal Jethwa as Chandan Kumar

• Ishaan Khatter as Mohammed Shoaib Ali

• Janhvi Kapoor as Sudha Bharti

• Reem Shaikh as opposite Shoaib

• Harshika Parmar as Vaishali, Chandan’s sister

• Shalini Vatsa as Phool, Chandan’s mother

• Supporting roles by Li Liren, Vijay Vikram Singh, Shreedhar Dubey, and others.

🏆 Global Acclaim Before Release

Premiering at Cannes Film Festival 2025, Homebound was met with critical acclaim for its performances, emotional depth, and unflinching honesty. Many critics have already called it Ghaywan’s finest work yet — a film that bridges the personal with the political, and the intimate with the universal.

It’s no surprise that Homebound was chosen as India’s official entry to the Academy Awards, marking a proud moment for Indian cinema on the global stage.

📅 Release Details

• World Premiere: 21 May 2025 (Cannes Film Festival)

• India Theatrical Release: 26 September 2025

• Language: Hindi

• Running Time: 122 minutes

🎥 Why Homebound Matters

More than just a film, Homebound is a mirror to the struggles faced by countless young Indians who chase government jobs as their only path to dignity and security. It is about dreams versus reality, friendship versus ambition, and how the pursuit of one’s future can sometimes come at the cost of one’s present.

For audiences, Homebound offers not just a cinematic experience, but also a haunting reminder: “When the system denies dignity, friendship becomes both a refuge and a battleground.”

⭐ Final Word: With powerful performances, Neeraj Ghaywan’s masterful direction, and a story that resonates far beyond borders, Homebound is poised to be one of the most important Indian films of 2025. Don’t miss it when it hits cinemas on 26 September 2025.