Homebound – Movie Review and first Solo Date

I watched the movie Homebound after my children raved about it incessantly.Normally I dismiss their recommendations because of the generation gap fearing I might not connect with what they are watching but this one grabbed my attention because it was also India’s official entry for the Oscars.

Intrigued and with my interest suitably roused , this also became my first solo movie outing. Because of a paucity of time, I generally do not go out to watch movies. For me watching a movie in a theatre is a rare and almost always a family affair. Going solo was not an idea I was very comfortable with – sitting in a dark space with strangers around me for more than 2 hours.What swayed my decision was that this movie was to be featured on Netflix , but only after a month so I decided not to wait and took the plunge.

It turned out to be a lovely experience – mostly because of the movie itself.

Let us now start with our review but first a little bit of introduction .

Cast & Credits

Homebound is written and directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, with co-writers Sumit Roy, Varun Grover, and Shreedhar Dubey handling story and dialogues.
The film features Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor in the leading roles. While Ishaan Khatter has proved his acting skills, This was a finely tuned performance from him.But the surprise package of this movie is Vishal Jethwa.The two friends’ chemistry just shines through, melting heartsa and often bringing tears. The dialogues, the dialect everything just flows naturally.These main characters are supported by many others actors and most of them left an impact even in minor roles.

The Plot of Homebound Movie

Homebound follows two childhood friends — Chandan (a Dalit) and Shoaib (a Muslim) — from a small North Indian village, who share the dream of joining the police force. As they strive to achieve their goal, they are forced to confront the harsh realities of caste and religious prejudice, systemic exclusion, and the question of roots and belonging. The backdrop of the COVID-19 lockdown and migrant crisis adds a twist and urgency  to their journey.

The Appeal of the movie Homebound

• Emotional honesty: The film never sugarcoats the struggles of marginalised communities; instead it lets their fears, frustrations, hopes, and small joys surface in a naturalistic way. There are no violent scenes , but it is those little details that bring out the characters struggles,those snide remarks during an India-Pakistan match doubting Shoaib’s loyalty to his country, they do not seem far fetched.
• Standout Performances: Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa deliver performances that feel lived-in and vulnerable. Their friendship, with its tensions and loyalties, becomes the anchor that carries the film. Janhvi Kapoor is decent in her role as Vishal’s love interest and a dalit who aspires to be seated on the chair and not on the mat (kursi par baithna hai bori par nahi)
• Direction & Writing: Neeraj Ghaywan , along with with Grover and Dubey, has crafted a screenplay and dialogues that allow the social commentary to emerge organically, rather than preachily. The story was inspired by a New York Times article by journalist Basharat Peer, and has been adapted with sensitivity, preserving both the intimate human story and the larger systemic issues.
• Absence of songs / soundtrack numbers: One standout choice is the total lack of traditional song sequences and even background music. This bold choice is rewarding because musical interludes often pull one out of the moment. This starkness — this stripped-down style — reinforces the harsh reality the film portrays. It heightens relatability and maintains the emotional tension without relief, which creates a stronger impact on the viewer.

Why Homebound deserves to be India’s Official Oscar entry

• Indian Roots but Universal Appeal: While deeply Indian in its social contexts — caste, religious identity, migration, marginalisation — it also tackles issues of aspirations,dignity, friendship and injustice that resonate universally. That balance is often sought by the Academy when considering international features.
• Critical Acclaim: Homebound has already made waves in Cannes  and Toronto, earning standing ovations and strong praise. That gives it international visibility.
• Strong Direction and Writing: Neeraj Ghaywan’s voice is clear and compassionate. The dialogues (by Grover, Dubey, Ghaywan) are grounded and specific. There’s courage in what the film does: it asks audiences to witness and feel, not to escape.
• Authenticity & Realism: The decision to eschew songs, to not indulge in melodrama, to show people in their messy, difficult lives — that makes Homebound feel like it belongs to the people it portrays, rather than being a didactic film. The lack of conventional musical breaks or glamor strips away artifice, making the struggles more immediate.

What could have been better

• The sudden introduction of the migrant crisis during the pandemic throws the viewer off the stream, maybe it was intentional.
• As powerful as the realism is, the lack of songs or soundtrack may reduce mainstream mass-appeal in regions where musical interludes still dominate audience expectations.

Final thoughts

Homebound is a brave, intimate film that refuses to comfort its audience. While we may boast of  progress and growth , the film highlights where we still lag behind as Indians.Its strength lies in telling the truth, in its uncompromising look at marginalisation, and in its decision to ground itself in the real, without song and spectacle. It deserves its nomination because it doesn’t only wish to show India to the world — it forces the world to see India, warts and all, through the lives of people so often pushed to the margins.

If Oscars are about emotional honesty, cinematic courage, and stories that linger, Homebound is a worthy contender.

This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Ratna Prabha.