Seldom do we come across films that captivate throughout with plot and storytelling, leaving an impact on our minds. Neeraj Ghaywan’s ‘Homebound’, India’s official Oscar entry in the Best International Feature Film category, is such a film. Inspired by Basharat Peer’s long-form essay in The New York Times, which chronicled a bond tragically cut short during the Covid-19 pandemic, ‘Homebound’ is Ghaywan’s lens portrayal of dreamers on the margins. It unfolds in a world where hope is an illusion, and survival is less about instinct and more a desperate act.
After Masaan, the director has delivered yet another masterpiece, taking creative liberty to portray the true face of a society that continues to exist on dreams, aspirations, and the hope of building a better future for themselves and a better world for their parents.
Through the journeys of two best friends, Chandan Kumar (Vishal Jethwa) and Mohammed Shoaib (Ishaan Khatter), the director paints a portrait of an India that wears down their patience and spirit, yet also drives them to persist and refuse defeat. Rather than preaching, he holds up a mirror to society, quietly exposing how prejudice thrives on silence and complicity.
It is a sincere reflection of the problems plaguing the grassroots, if in a brutally stark manner, which makes Homebound an ideal Oscar entry. Ghaywan, who is perfect in bringing out the true emotions, does a fine job in highlighting societal problems like the cast system. Lately, there are not many films that we can think of that have tackled the issue with brilliance. After ‘Dhadak 2’ starring Triptii Dimri and Siddhant Chaturvedi, which did not perform well in theatres, fans had pinned high hopes on ‘Homebound’.
Why ‘Homebound’ deserves your attention
In the movie, Chandan chooses not to tick the SC/ST category box, not out of shame for being a Dalit, but out of the awareness that this will lead to discrimination. Shoaib, too, faces a similar struggle: his faith draws suspicion and hostility, forcing him to constantly prove his loyalty. In their own ways, both struggle each day trying to break free from the labels of inferiority imposed on them due to their caste and religion.
Spoiler alert
While you may be curious to know more about Chandan and Shaoib’s struggles, the following paragraphs could prove to be a spoiler for you.
Selected as India’s official entry in the Best International Feature Film category, the movie portrays an India where divisiveness and bigotry run so deep that breaking free feels almost impossible. Chandan faces a police officer’s verbal assault when he tries to dodge questions about his caste, while Shoaib is forced to provide excessive documentation just to be deemed a trustworthy employee.
The best part about Neeraj Ghaywan’s directorial remains in the fact that he has mirrored all the issues rooted in society without making anyone the villain. The film doesn’t lecture or preach; instead, it allows viewers to confront the entrenched biases that operate in silence and complicity.
Whether it’s Chandan being humiliated by a police officer or Shoaib being burdened with unnecessary paperwork, the film captures how systemic discrimination is normalised in everyday life.
Chandan is the film’s wounded soul. His caste identity isn’t merely a label; it is a weight that shadows him in every corner of his life.
One of the gut-wrenching scenes remains when Chandan reaches the local office to know about the status of his police job, when the head officer questions about his status. With a lot of hesitation in his voice and fear on his face, he speaks about applying in the general category. The office, after a brief pause, praises his act.
Vishal Jethwa delivers a masterful performance, embodying a quiet fury and simmering rage that hold the audience captive. Shoaib, on the other hand, is burdened by the invisible weight of his religion. Ishaan Khatter, in arguably his finest performance to date, brings a raw, resilient intensity that stays with you long after the credits roll. Together, they are a fine representation of India’s young acting talent pool at an international platform as the Oscars.
As we talk about the friendship, Janhvi Kapoor as Sudha Bharti cannot be missed. Janhvi brings empathy and complexity to her role as someone who is focused on her career, optimistic about the future, someone who not only understands the problems in society but actively tries to find a solution as well.
Why ‘Homebound’ is India’s Best Pick?
While films like ‘Tanvi the Great’, ‘The Bengal Files’, ‘Pushpa 2’, and ‘Kesari Chapter 2’ may have more action, drama, and star power, they fall short of the kind of global resonance that makes a film Oscar-worthy. The Academy often gravitates towards stories that are not only cinematic in craft but also socially and culturally profound, offering a window into realities that transcend borders.
The other films mentioned, while engaging, focus largely on entertainment: heroism, crime, or historical dramatisation.
Neeraj Ghaywan’s film matches up to the criteria of the Oscars that have often celebrated cinema that dares to bare uncomfortable truths while delivering a cinematic experience of craft and compassion. ‘Homebound’ does exactly that. It is layered, relevant, and courageous, powered by stirring performances. After Kiran Rao’s ‘Laapataa Ladies’ that made it to the Oscars’ entry in 2025, it feels like ‘Homebound’ is a statement about India’s evolving cinema, about voices from the margins being given a global platform, and about stories that refuse to be silenced.
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