When Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound premiered at the Cannes Film Festival 2025, the movie received a 9-minute standing ovation. To top that, Homebound has been recently selected as India’s official entry for the Oscars 2026. After touring several festivals and gaining worldwide recognition, the movie has finally returned home, releasing in Indian theatres. Homebound stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, and portrays a unique, hard-hitting story. But what is the film about, and is it really worth watching? Read our review of Homebound to find out.

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Homebound movie: The plot

Homebound is inspired by journalist Basharat Peer’s 2020 New York Times editorial, Taking Amrit Home. The movie follows two childhood friends, Mohammed Shoaib Ali and Chandan Kumar, who aspire to become police officers. Being Muslim and Dalit, they both share different caste and communal struggles that break them at every point in life. There’s only one way to overcome these generational cycles of oppression – crack the police service exams. Shoaib and Chandan’s ambitions seem simple, but their existence constantly reminds them that they are not.

While appearing for the exams, they find a friend in Sudha Bharti, a Dalit girl who shares the same goals. Their lives intersect while they continue to face their individual fears and struggles, hoping to defeat the frustrating system. And just when they think they are close to their dreams, COVID-19 hits the world. Will Shoaib, Chandan and Sudha find their way to each other? Will they achieve their goals?

Homebound movie review: A powerful tale about friendship, caste, and religion

The movie proves why it deserves all the appreciation it has received so far and much more. Homebound is raw, layered, and deeply emotional. Portraying India’s deep-rooted caste and religious conflicts, the movie highlights the vulnerability, quiet rage, and wounded dignity of the oppressed. Homebound does this best when it shows the migration of labourers during the Coronavirus pandemic. Such scenes reveal the different experiences of people during the pandemic. While some people were trying new recipes at home, a large section of labourers were dying of hunger. And Ghaywan’s direction succeeds in showing this truth.

Chandan and Shoaib’s friendship is messy yet comforting as they help each other own their identities. Sudha’s choice of education over a job reflects her unapologetic need for respect in society. Homebound beautifully holds a mirror in front of us to see our existence. And that’s why the movie requires your patience to understand it. Homebound also blends subtle humour to ease you when things get too intense in the film.

Homebound movie: The star performers

The trio of Ishaan, Vishal and Janhvi does wonders in the film. From the very first moment on the screen to the last shot, these actors will leave you speechless. While Janhvi has limited screen time in the movie, her role is quite convincing. But Ishaan and Vishal, as Shoaib and Chandan, are undoubtedly the showstoppers of Homebound. Their performance will leave you laughing and crying at the same time. Ishaan carries Shoaib’s innocence and anger and brings emotional complexities to life on screen. Vishal Jethwa has aced his lead role as Chandan, proving that he’s here to stay. The scenes where Chandan lashes out at Shoaib, or when he has an emotional breakdown, reflect Vishal’s powerful acting skills.

Homebound is now running in theatres.

Can you watch Homebound with your family?: Yes, the movie doesn’t contain any obscene language or intimacy.

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