Filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound was recently selected as India’s official entry for the Oscars. The movie, which stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Jahnvi Kapoor, has been receiving a lot of acclaim worldwide. Ishaan got talking about the film’s triumph in an interview with us.
Ishaan Khatter on Homebound, “It speaks through empathy at a time where the world is seemingly more and more disconnected and intolerant”
What do you think of Homebound going to the Oscars?
I’m thrilled. Had I not been a part of this film, I would still be a champion for this subject and Neeraj Ghaywan’s beautiful craft. I think it’s a deserving film and I hope we can carry on taking it to an even bigger stage from here on.
Homebound proves what I and many others have believed for years: you have extraordinary talent. What took you so long to get here?
Thank you for your encouragement and kind support, sir. It fuels the fire to go forward and make bolder choices as artists. I think how long is a relative question but what took a while to find was an opportunity with a filmmaker who saw who I really was as an actor and gave me the part that allowed me to channel it. He pushed me the way only Majid Majidi has in the past. There is only one Neeraj Ghaywan and I’m grateful that I was able to be a part of this meaningful and deeply relevant work of his.
How did Shoaib come your way? What was your reaction when you were offered this complex part of a man facing prejudice every step of his way?
I was given the script to read by Neeraj. Karan Johar sir was the one who called me first to tell me there is a very special film he’s making with Neeraj. When I read Homebound, I realised how important and relevant a subject this was and it quite simply was the most keenly observed, beautifully written script I’ve read so far. I knew that Shoaib was not a unidimensional part and also that if I had been given a choice, I would pick this role, being that it was easily the most challenging part I’ve been offered so far in my young career. I deeply connected to the journey of the boys and their friendship and there was no looking back since.
Acknowledging the privilege is only level one but to understand the various standards society holds for different shapes and forms of privilege and identities was eye opening. It’s so beautifully weaved in the film. For instance, the scene with Chandan and his sister Vaishali, who, while being a member of the very same household, still had the disadvantage of being born a girl in a patriarchal world. Neeraj shared ‘Annihilation Of Caste’ (book by Dr BR Ambedkar) with all of us members of the cast and more reading material to help us understand the historical context.
After two months of working on dialect and culture, we took a trip to certain villages around Barabanki and spent days talking to people and visiting their homes. We were so warmly welcomed, fed and read our script sitting in those places. It did something ephemeral but stirred something in us and I think from there on we were flowing with the characters.
Neeraj Ghaywan, the magician that he is, how much did he contribute to your character and performance?
Neeraj is a magician indeed, but a methodical one. He never shied away from raising the stakes, almost testing me on every level. He knew very well what the potential of this character was and he pushed me on every level. Demanding that we immerse ourselves and not just work with craft. It was a blessing and a boon and I finally got what I so desired.
It was all so useful to us. I’ve always preferred shooting on location. It gives an unmissable sense of reality to the film and performances. But it was challenging. Only the highway was punishing I would say, I’ll leave why to the readers’ imagination.
You have done excellent work in the past, but would you say Homebound is a decisive pit stop for you?
Homebound is the best work of my career so far. I won’t hesitate to say it. And I always knew the potential of this film. It’s so much bigger than us. It’s a beautiful, beautiful film that speaks through empathy in a time where the world is seeming more and more disconnected… intolerant.
How much of Shoaib is embedded permanently in your subconscious? Has Shoaib helped you understand the complex caste and communal system?
Shoaib helped me understand how different people deal with that kind of othering. But Homebound helped me understand identity on a deeper level. Getting a film or character like this will be impossible. How do you intend to create challenging opportunities for yourself? It was impossible to make a film such as this till it was done. Manifesting only possibilities from here on. I want to keep expanding my range as an actor but also my reach as a star. I’ve learnt this much about myself. I have strong desires and beliefs and I want to be able to empower them through my position. Will keep working hard to the best of my abilities and pray for the right opportunities. I have some films in the offing and will speak about them happily when they’re in full strength!
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