“No feeling is final.” With these words, producer Karan Johar announced the theatrical release of Homebound, a deeply moving Hindi drama that has already made waves on the global festival circuit. Directed by the National Award-winning filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan, Homebound is set to release worldwide in cinemas on September 26, 2025.
After earning critical acclaim at both the Cannes Film Festival (Un Certain Regard section) and the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), Homebound is finally coming home — ready to touch the hearts of Indian audiences with its story of ambition, brotherhood, and heartbreak.
Homebound is an adaptation of a 2020 New York Times article by Basharat Peer, known for his powerful writing on Kashmir and the emotional weight of memory, violence, and identity. The film stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor in lead roles.
Set in a small village in North India, the film follows two childhood friends, bonded by their dreams and shaped by their shared struggle. Together, they train for the national police exam, convinced that a uniform will finally give them the dignity and respect they have been denied all their lives.
But as the pressure mounts, and the realities of caste, class, and systemic inequality creep in, their friendship begins to crack. What starts as a shared dream soon becomes a test of loyalty, identity, and survival.
Homebound had its world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard category — a section known for spotlighting films with unique vision and storytelling. Critics at Cannes praised Ghaywan’s direction, calling the film “a hauntingly real portrait of rural India, ambition, and fractured identities.”
Following Cannes, Homebound also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where it received a standing ovation and was heralded as one of the festival’s most powerful South Asian entries in recent years.
Its emotional honesty, rooted characters, and layered performances have already positioned it as a frontrunner for international awards this season.
Director Neeraj Ghaywan, known for Masaan and his work on Made in Heaven, brings his trademark subtlety and empathy to this story. With Homebound, he once again explores the complex intersections of caste, masculinity, identity, and social mobility, while keeping the emotional core deeply personal.
The film features a breakout performance by Vishal Jethwa, who plays one of the friends — a character driven, but wounded by circumstances. Ishaan Khatter, in perhaps his most mature role to date, brings intensity and vulnerability in equal measure. Janhvi Kapoor, playing a key supporting role, adds emotional depth to the narrative.
Homebound is backed by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, along with Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra, signaling the studio’s growing commitment to bold, socially relevant storytelling.
As the release date approaches, the buzz around Homebound continues to grow. With its powerful message, world-class direction, and authentic performances, this is a film that promises to resonate far beyond the screen.
Whether you’ve followed its festival journey or are just discovering it now, mark your calendars. Homebound isn’t just a film — it’s an experience about friendship, failure, and finding your place in the world.
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