The cast and crew of ‘Homebound’ pose at Cannes Film Festival ahead of the premiere
| Photo Credit: X/ @DharmaMovies

Neeraj Ghaywan’s latest film Homebound premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival under the Un Certain Regard section, drawing a nine-minute standing ovation from the audience. The screening marked an emotional moment for the director, who embraced producer Karan Johar in a long hug as the crowd responded with sustained applause.

The film is the only Indian feature selected at Cannes this year. The cast, including Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vishal Jethwa, were present at the premiere alongside the crew. They were seen acknowledging the audience’s appreciation following the screening.

Set in a small village in North India, Homebound follows the story of two childhood friends preparing for police recruitment as a way to escape their circumstances. As their dream begins to materialise, tensions surface, threatening their relationship. Ghaywan co-wrote the script with Sumit Roy.

In a statement shared before the premiere, Ghaywan said, “This film taught me humility, empathy, and patience. Casting showed me that actors need to be more than just talented, they also need to be morally connected to their character.”

Ten years after his debut feature Masaan premiered at Cannes, Ghaywan returns to the festival with a film that similarly explores social structures and personal aspirations. On his working process, he said, “I believe in collaboration and having a democratic crew. Inclusivity is fundamental: I aim for every department to comprise at least 50% women and I hire people from marginalised communities.”

The film is produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra, with Marijke de Souza and Melita Toscan Du Plantier serving as co-producers. Academy Award-winning director Martin Scorsese is credited as executive producer.

Ghaywan spoke about his approach to emotionally intense scenes, saying he uses a system called “Code 360” to create a focused and respectful environment on set. “It’s complete silence, appropriate ambient music, and minimal people on set,” he said.

On working with his cast, Ghaywan added, “If I were to make the film again, I’d choose the same cast, no question. They brought deep empathy and critical thinking to their roles.”

Janhvi Kapoor prepared for her role by reading Annihilation of Caste and watching films like Rosetta and Three Colours: Blue. Ghaywan described her portrayal as carrying “a genuine tenderness and moral clarity.”

Reflecting on what he hopes audiences take from the film, Ghaywan said, “The importance of kindness and empathy, especially toward those who are different from us. Seeing others as equals.”