REVIEW: 'Homebound' Is A Modern Tragedy Rooted In Friendship

Neeraj Ghaywan returns with his sophomore feature Homebound, a full decade after Masaan. It is based on Basharat Peer’s 2020 New York Times article "Taking Amrit Home," and is a film that has a lot to say and has a strong message at its core. It is very much in line with Ghaywan’s sensibilities as it is empathetic, precise, and emotionally devastating while offering a relevant story that speaks directly to the present. Homebound stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, and premiered in the Un Certain Regard at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. It also has Martin Scorsese among its EPs.

By weaving together the ongoing realities of caste discrimination in India with the struggles of migrant laborers during the COVID-19 pandemic, Homebound becomes both a personal story and a broader social statement. Homebound is a celebration of friendship first and foremost. The two leads, played with extraordinary conviction by Khatter and Jethwa, have chemistry that feels organic and lived-in, anchoring the story in moments of quiet charm and heartfelt tenderness. Their relationship gives the film its warmth, even as the larger forces surrounding them threaten to overwhelm. These performances are among the strongest of the year, layered with vulnerability and resilience, and they allow viewers to deeply connect with the characters’ journeys. The supporting cast is uniformly strong, but it is the leads who carry the film and make it soar.

Ghaywan’s direction is both focused and restrained. He keeps the narrative straightforward, with no unnecessary subplots, ensuring the film remains sharply centered on its themes. At times, the execution feels a little too safe — there are moments where one wishes the depiction of caste violence and systemic cruelty were more unflinching. Yet even within that restraint, the message lands powerfully. Much like in Masaan, Ghaywan has an uncanny ability to craft moments that build quietly and then devastate with emotional force. The climax of Homebound is a stunning example of this, an ending that is certain to leave audiences in tears.

Vishal Jethwa and Ishaan Khatter in Homebound.

On the technical side, the film is equally strong. The cinematography captures both the beauty of everyday life and the stark realities of hardship, nailing a visual aesthetic that feels authentic. The pacing is excellent, striking a balance between contemplative stretches and moments of urgency, and the editing ensures that the emotional beats resonate. This is not a film that overstays its welcome; instead, it draws you in gently before breaking your heart.

What makes Homebound especially poignant is its relevance. By centering the experiences of migrant laborers during the COVID-19 pandemic it gives voice to the voiceless, shining a light on those whose struggles were too often ignored. It plays out like a tragedy, but also like a tribute — an acknowledgment of those who continue to fight for dignity, rights, and dreams in the face of systemic barriers.

Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa are definitely on course to have great careers, but kudos must also go to Janhvi Kapoor for taking on a role that is small, unglamorous, and demanding in its simplicity. Her commitment to such material speaks volumes about her dedication as an actor. Likewise, it is refreshing to see Dharma Productions back a project as artsy and indie-minded as this one.

Homebound is heartfelt, devastating, and necessary. It manages to be both intimate and urgent, and is also a tender portrait of friendship that sheds light on systemic injustice. Its compassion, commentary, and social relevance make it a deeply moving film. It may not be perfect, but it makes for a very impressive sophomore feature from Neeraj Ghaywan with two powerhouse performances at its center. It is easily one of the best Indian movies of the year, and even though it may not get selected as India's official selection for the Oscars, it is an achievement that everyone involved can be proud of.

Rating: ★★★★

About Homebound

Premiere Date: TBD

Director: Neeraj Ghaywan

Producers: Apoorva Mehta, Karan Johar, Somen Mishra, Marijke Desouza, Adar Poonawalla.

Production House: Dharma Productions

Writers: Neeraj Ghaywan, Basharat Peer

Cast:  Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, Shalini Vatsa,