Homebound has set the bar super high after it got the entire audience on their feet applauding for nine minutes. The film got a special feature at the Cannes Film Festival 2025, in the Un Certain Regard section and received a rousing in-person reaction. However, let’s find out what the critics thought of the film once the adrenaline had died down.
Critics react to Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa’s Homebound
The screening for Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound took place in the Debussy Theatre on May 20, 2025. The screening was attended by the director himself, along with lead actors, Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor. The team was also joined by producer, Karan Johar and his Dharma Productions key members, Apoorva Mehta and Somen Mishra. Now, the first critic review of the film is out, and they have offered high praise for the film.
Bollywood has finally turned a corner after a long slump. The critics have lauded the film, Homebound for its emotional depth and the immaculate performance by the leading men, Ishaan and Vishal. The first one to review the film was Variety; the publication praised the actors for their portrayal and called it immensely endearing and unpredictable performances. Shortly after was Screen Daily, which cited that the film was deeply empathetic and increasingly universal. The Hollywood Reporter also shared their views of the film and stated:
“An emotionally resonant portrait of systemic cruelty and how ordinary men and women find the courage to defy it. By the end, I was a weeping mess.”
Critics found Janhvi Kapoor’s role unimpressive
While Ishaan and Vishal earned several praises, it was Janhvi’s character, ‘Sudha’, that failed to match their energy. The Variety spoke about Janhvi’s portrayal and shared that she has not yet learned to shed the gestures that suggest someone was raised in a wealthy family. The publication pointed out that this difference made ‘Sudha’s’ dynamics with ‘Chandan’ play the opposite role that the team had intended. However, this gave the two male leads to shine. They were quoted as saying:
“This makes Sudha’s dynamic with Chandan play like the kind of inter-class or inter-caste romance typical of Indian dramas, despite what’s actually intended. However, this disconnect is limited to only a handful of scenes, since Kapoor’s role is truncated to the point of feeling perfunctory. It’s the movie’s only major flaw, but it works in its favor, allowing the leading duo the lion’s share of the runtime.”
The critic further stated that despite the lapse, Homebound made an impactful and moving film. They called it a film of great tragedy, yet so deeply rooted in beating humanity that one can only be left furious and teary-eyed. The film delivered the complete cathartic experience known and more. For the unversed, the film marks Neeraj Ghaywan’s return to Cannes after his debut Masaan. The film received international acclaim in 2015, and with Homebound, he once again left a mark on the hearts of the global audience. Now, all that is left to see is how the audience likes the film.
What are your thoughts on Homebound? Let us know.
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