Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound Strikes a Chord with Cannes Audience - WATCH

Neeraj Ghaywan’s second feature film Homebound made its world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section of the Cannes Film Festival this year. It stood out as the only Indian feature selected for screening at the prestigious festival. The film’s debut was met with a strong response, culminating in a nine-minute standing ovation from the audience.

According to a recent update from Dharma Productions’ official X account, the screening hall was packed and the applause lasted long after the film ended. The accompanying video captured the heartfelt moment when producer Karan Johar shared a warm, extended hug with an emotional Neeraj Ghaywan, visibly moved by the audience’s overwhelming appreciation.

Alongside the director and producer, actors Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vishal Jethwa were seen acknowledging the applause with smiles, standing beside the crew members who attended the event.

The official Cannes Film Festival synopsis describes Homebound as a story about “two childhood friends from a small North Indian village who chase a police job that promises them the dignity they’ve long been denied. But as they inch closer to their dream, mounting desperation threatens the bond that holds them together.”

The screenplay was co-written by Neeraj Ghaywan and Sumit Roy. The film is produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra, with Marijke de Souza and Melita Toscan Du Plantier as co-producers. Notably, Academy Award-winning director Martin Scorsese has come on board as an executive producer for the film.

This is not Neeraj Ghaywan’s first association with Cannes. His debut film Masaan also premiered at the festival, featuring performances by Vicky Kaushal, Richa Chadha, Pankaj Tripathi, and Sanjay Mishra. Masaan received critical acclaim at Cannes, winning both the Un Certain Regard Special Prize and the FIPRESCI Prize.

Homebound’s positive reception at Cannes adds to the growing recognition of Neeraj Ghaywan’s work on the international stage, highlighting the increasing presence of Indian stories in global cinema forums.