While many have been complaining about how some Indians at the Cannes Film Festival have been letting the country down with their extreme fashion choices, Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound has single-handedly made India shine at the festival.
Homebound, starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, is the only Indian feature film to screen at the Cannes Film Festival this year, under the prestigious Un Certain Regard section. The film received a nine-minute-long standing ovation, one that was truly well deserved.
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Produced by Dharma Productions, the film tells the story of two childhood friends from a small North Indian village who chase a police job that promises them the dignity they’ve long been denied. But as they inch closer to their dream, mounting desperation threatens the bond that holds them together.
The same Dharma Productions that once shaped the global perception of Indian cinema with its melodrama and musical numbers is now challenging those very notions with Homebound.
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In addition to its storytelling, the film has been widely praised for its performances. Ishaan Khatter as Mohammed Shoaib Ali and Vishal Jethwa as Chandan Kumar delivered powerful portrayals that left many in the audience teary-eyed.
Despite her limited screen time, Janhvi Kapoor also managed to win hearts with her nuanced performance.
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As a “nepo kid,” Janhvi has often faced criticism and stereotypes, with many dismissing her as a mediocre actor. But her performance in Homebound has turned that narrative around for many, with audiences calling this her true comeback and a sign of her growth as an actor.
With the global acclaim Homebound has received, Indian audiences are now eagerly awaiting its release in theatres, especially to witness the powerful performances by the star cast.
