Cannes 2025: How Scorsese Helped Push Indian Drama ‘Homebound’ over the Line
- Neeraj Ghaywan's movie Homebound had its debut screening on May 20, 2025, at the Un Certain Regard segment of the Cannes Film Festival in France, where it was met with a standing ovation that lasted nine minutes.
- The film arose from Ghaywan's interest in depicting the lives of marginalized rural Indians, inspired by a Peer's article and continuing themes from his debut film Masaan.
- Homebound follows two childhood friends, Mohammed Shoaib Ali and Chandan Kumar, who face caste and religious discrimination while striving to join the police force for dignity and stability.
- Martin Scorsese became executive producer in April 2025, saying he was "curious" and willing to support this new story after admiring Ghaywan's 2015 film Masaan.
- The film's acclaim suggests it will spark meaningful discussions on caste, identity, and systemic barriers in India, highlighting rural realities often absent in mainstream Hindi cinema.
40 Articles
40 Articles
‘Homebound’ Cast & Director Neeraj Ghaywan Talk Martin Scorsese’s Notes, Gujarati Folk Singing & Artistic Vocations — Cannes Studio
Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound follows two childhood friends from a small North Indian village as they take an exam to become a police and chase a job that promises them the dignity they have long been denied. However, as they get closer to their dream, mounting desperation threatens the friendship. Starring Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa, the film was executive produced by Martin Scorsese. Ghaywan credits co-producer Mélita Tos…
Cannes 2025: How Scorsese helped push Indian drama ‘Homebound’ over the line
Neeraj Ghaywan’s first film in a decade, about two friends striving to escape their marginalised roots in rural India, has packed an emotional punch at the Cannes Film Festival. He talks to FRANCE 24 about the personal significance of “Homebound” and Martin Scorsese’s decisive help in bringing the long-gestating project to completion.
Neeraj Ghaywan Talks His Cannes Premiere ‘Homebound’ and the Notes He Got from Executive Producer Martin Scorsese
Cannes: Based on a true story, Ghaywan’s film about the friendship between a Dalit man and a Muslim man is produced by Karan Johar’s legendary Bollywood outfit Dharma Productions.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 38% of the sources lean Right
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
Ownership
To view ownership data please Upgrade to Vantage