Homebound is a heartbreaking and eye-opening reminder of the cruelty embedded in a social scene. Based on a true story and executive-produced by Martin Scorsese, the film follows two childhood friends as they are forced to deal with poverty, prejudice, and the struggle for survival during an arduous journey back home amid the COVID-19 lockdown. The pandemic disrupted lives, magnified existing inequalities, and became an unforgiving, relentless ordeal for those left abandoned, invisible, and further isolated, such as migrant workers. 

Earning global attention for all the right reasons, Neeraj Ghaywan, who made his debut with Masaan, once again shows his storytelling genius, making Homebound a must-watch for three compelling reasons.

What impressed Martin Scorsese about Homebound, starring Ishaan Khatter, was the authenticity of both the story and its portrayal. Scorsese worked on multiple edits of the movie late into the night and worked closely with director Neeraj Ghaywan on the film’s script development. The movie shed a light on pressing societal issues in India, including poverty, caste discrimination, religious tension, unemployment, and limited access to healthcare in certain areas of the nation.

The movie Homebound follows the story of two childhood friends, a 22-year-old Muslim, Mohammad Saiyub, and a 24-year-old Dalit, Amrit Kumar, who grew up together in the small village of Devari in Basti, Uttar Pradesh. Despite the social and religious divisions around them, they managed to form a deep bond and friendship. Now, both dream of joining the police force, hoping that wearing the uniform will free them from the constraints of societal divisions.

As the competition for police jobs proves too challenging, they move to Surat on India’s west coast to work in local factories. The two share a rented room while pursuing separate jobs. However, when COVID-19 struck and a nationwide lockdown was imposed in 2020, the friends were forced into a perilous journey back home, especially when one of them fell gravely ill.

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While the story is fictionalized, it closely mirrors the real struggles of migrant workers during the pandemic. The narrative is based on Basharat Peer’s article, 'A Friendship, a Pandemic and a Death Beside the Highway,' published in The New York Times. And the film’s cast brings these challenges to life beautifully, portraying both the hardships and the spirit of friendship that touches the viewers' hearts.

The movie stars Ishaan Khatter, known for his work in A Suitable Boy and The Royals, alongside Vishal Jethwa, who appeared in Salaam Venky and Mardaani 2. Both actors showed brilliant performances, portraying the deep bond between two friends with remarkable authenticity. They described the film as a transformative journey and praised the experience of working alongside Martin Scorsese.

Director Neeraj Ghaywan has been widely lauded for his sensitive yet unflinching approach to delicate issues. From the storytelling and cinematography to the performances, the film is a powerful reminder of friendship and human connection.

The movie premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and was also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival. It has been selected as India’s official entry for the 98th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film, earning widespread praise from critics and audiences alike. With support from director Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, the film also benefited from Martin Scorsese’s guidance as an executive producer and mentor. Scorsese even hosted a special screening in New York, and later shared heartfelt words of admiration for the movie and its cast.

Speaking of the movie, he said, “But I remember this, because I remember reading the script, and so in a way I have been living with it for 3 years so honestly it is quite satisfying that it is here. I love that audiences in America get to see this picture.”

Homebound is a moving, unflinching portrayal of social realities as well as friendship and human connection that demands to be seen. With stellar performances, masterful storytelling, and a raw depiction of real struggles, it has made a huge impact on viewers. Homebound is currently streaming on Netflix, which itself has been home to several Oscar nominated titles.

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