amynicole – In 2010, Indian filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan made a memorable debut at the Cannes Film Festival with his film Masaan. The movie explores themes of love, loss, and the harsh realities of the caste system in India. Set against the sacred city of Varanasi, it tells the story of Vicky Kaushal’s character, who performs cremations—a job traditionally assigned to one of the lowest castes. Masaan screened in the “Un Certain Regard” section, which highlights films with unique styles and unconventional narratives. It won both the FIPRESCI Prize and the Avenir (Promising Future) Prize, establishing Ghaywan as a bold new voice in Indian cinema.
Since then, Ghaywan sought stories that highlighted marginalized communities in India. In 2020, during the pandemic, a friend named Somen Mishra recommended an article titled Taking Amrit Home, published in The New York Times by journalist Basharat Peer. This piece detailed the arduous journeys made by millions of migrant workers who walked hundreds or thousands of miles to reach their homes during India’s strict COVID-19 lockdown. What resonated with Ghaywan was the friendship at the core of the story—between a Muslim man and a Dalit man, two individuals bound by shared struggles despite their different backgrounds.
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Homebound: A Poignant Tale of Friendship and Social Barriers
Ghaywan’s new film, Homebound, inspired by Peer’s article, premiered this year at Cannes in the same “Un Certain Regard” category. It ended with an emotional nine-minute standing ovation. Audience members were visibly moved, some wiping tears during the screening. After the film, Ghaywan hugged lead producer Karan Johar tightly. The young lead actors—Ishan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor—joined in a group hug, celebrating the film’s success.
The premiere drew significant attention, with prominent South Asian filmmakers attending to show their support. Mira Nair, a veteran Indian director who won the Camera d’Or in 1988 for Salaam Bombay, leaned forward across seats to greet Johar. Pakistani filmmaker Siam Sadiq, winner of the 2022 Un Certain Regard Jury Prize for Joyland, captured the event’s emotional atmosphere on Instagram. This gathering symbolized a rare moment of unity among South Asian cinema’s leading lights.
Unexpected Support from Martin Scorsese Elevates the Film
While Homebound was mainly produced by Karan Johar, a filmmaker known for mainstream blockbusters, the film also gained support from an unexpected source. Legendary American director Martin Scorsese signed on as executive producer. Scorsese’s involvement is notable because it marks the first time he has backed a contemporary Indian film; previously, he only supported restored Indian classics.
Scorsese learned about Homebound through French producer Mélita Toscan du Plantier. He admired Ghaywan’s debut Masaan and was curious about his new project. After watching the film, Scorsese praised its storytelling and cultural significance. He mentored the production team through multiple editing rounds and immersed himself in the cultural context to better support the film’s vision. His guidance helped shape Homebound into a finely crafted piece of cinema that contributes meaningfully to Indian film.
Exploring Caste and Community Through Personal Stories
Homebound centers on two friends, Mohammed Shoaib Ali (played by Ishan Khatter) and Chandan Kumar (played by Vishal Jethwa), who face the legacy of caste discrimination. Both characters belong to historically oppressed groups—Muslims and Dalits—and share the common dream of joining the police force to rise above social barriers. Ghaywan’s own background informs the film deeply; born into a Dalit family, he understands the weight of caste-based prejudice personally.
Despite working in corporate India and never experiencing overt discrimination himself, Ghaywan remains aware of his social position. He notes the glaring absence of Dalit representation both in front of and behind the Hindi film camera. He critiques how mainstream cinema treats marginalized communities only as statistics, rather than telling their individual stories. His goal is to humanize those statistics by focusing on personal experiences and journeys.
Capturing Humanity Amid Crisis with Warmth and Authenticity
Homebound blends fiction with reality, delivering a story that feels deeply authentic. The film’s rural North India setting is beautifully shot, capturing both the simplicity and struggles of the protagonists’ lives. Janhvi Kapoor, playing a Dalit woman loved by one of the men, adds emotional depth to the narrative. The film explores the characters’ relationships, their shared histories, and their hopes amid social challenges.
Although the pandemic’s full impact was unknown when Ghaywan began writing, the film foreshadows how a crisis affects all classes, castes, and communities. Homebound offers a powerful look at India’s marginalized populations, inviting viewers to reflect on the human stories behind societal divides. More than just an emotional experience, the film encourages meaningful conversations about caste, friendship, and resilience in modern India.
