Homebound Review: A Quiet Study of Solidarity Amid Suppression

Homebound Review – A Stirring Tale of Friendship, Injustice, and the Fight for Dignity

By Namrata Joshi
Published on: 23 May 2025, 11:22 AM
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound is a powerful reflection of our times—both intimate and deeply political. Rooted in the real-life image of two migrant workers collapsed on a roadside during the first wave of COVID-19 lockdowns, the film builds from a haunting moment that quietly captured the despair of millions. That uncredited photograph sparked journalist Basharat Peer’s interest, eventually becoming the foundation for this feature, inspired by his New York Times article, “Taking Amrit Home.”

Now, years later, Ghaywan returns with his second feature, selected for the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes. Working with story consultant Sumit Roy, he crafts a fictional tale around that image—retelling it through the lives of Mohammad Shoaib Ali (Ishaan Khatter) and Chandan Kumar (Vishal Jethwa), two friends from marginalized communities with a shared dream of joining the police force.

A Story of Bonds and Barriers

Their journey unfolds against the backdrop of systemic injustice—of caste, class, religion, and economic inequality. Yet Homebound isn’t just about oppression; it’s about resilience, hope, and the quiet solidarity among those who’ve lived through it. Whether it’s a bike ride, a shared game of cricket, or their hesitant conversations about the future, Shoaib and Chandan’s friendship is portrayed with tender realism.

Their faith in the power of the uniform is poignant. They believe becoming constables might offer them dignity, protection, and a way out of the daily indignities they endure. But Ghaywan doesn’t romanticize their struggle. Instead, he methodically peels back the layers of social exclusion—how the divides of religion and caste are reinforced across spaces: schools, cricket fields, job interviews, and even friendships.

Subtle Resistance, Unspoken Understanding

Early in the film, a revealing moment occurs when Shoaib and Chandan introduce themselves to a fellow train passenger—Sudha Bharti (Janhvi Kapoor). A flicker of recognition crosses her face when she hears Chandan’s surname. In that small, wordless moment, Ghaywan captures the unspoken alliance born from shared experiences of discrimination. Sudha, herself from a Dalit background, becomes a soft but steady counterpoint to the boys—her defiance rooted in education and self-awareness.

The film doesn’t treat Dalits or minorities as a single, unified block. Instead, it presents varied responses to marginalization. Shoaib is fiery and vocal. Chandan is more cautious, weighed down by an inherited sense of shame—a concept the film calls “paidayashi sharam.” Sudha, on the other hand, represents the empowered, educated face of resistance, echoing Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s vision of change through learning, agitation, and collective action.

Gender, Class, and Generational Truths

Homebound also confronts gender inequality, not as a side note, but as part of the same web of systemic oppression. Chandan is challenged by the women in his life—his sister Vaidehi (Harshika Parmar), who reminds him that only he had the right to choose his path, and Sudha, who questions why women can’t travel alone. His mother Phool (Shalini Vatsa) is the film’s moral compass: her weathered feet and unhealed calluses a silent protest against years of neglect. Despite her love, she never lets Chandan forget the hard truths of their reality.

A Film of Quiet Rage and Urgency

Ghaywan directs with restraint but purpose. There are no grand flourishes, no manipulative music cues. Just scenes that quietly build and stay with you. The emotions are raw, the politics clear. At times, it echoes the socially conscious cinema of the 1950s, but with a darker, more contemporary edge—reflecting a world that feels increasingly fractured, bitter, and hostile.

The screenplay, co-written by Ghaywan, Varun Grover, and Shriidhar Dubey, brings a poetic realism to everyday struggles. Even in moments of intense bigotry, the dialogue never turns preachy—it simply reflects the lived experience of millions.

Real Spaces, Real People

What sets Homebound apart is its texture. The locations—railway stations, construction sites, worker camps—don’t feel like sets. They breathe. Credit goes to production designer Khyatee Mohan Kanchan, art director Vatsal Dhamani, and costume designer Rohit Chaturvedi for creating an environment so authentically rooted in the working-class experience. Nitin Baid’s editing maintains a natural rhythm, while the minimalist score by Naren Chandavarkar and Benedict Taylor adds just the right emotional depth without overpowering the visuals.

Stellar Performances Across the Board

Vishal Jethwa brings a quiet turmoil to Chandan—torn between obedience and inner rage. Ishaan Khatter, in arguably his most mature performance to date, captures Shoaib’s inner conflict—longing for belonging while constantly pushed to the margins. Shalini Vatsa is unforgettable as Phool, balancing affection with relentless truth-telling.

A Necessary Mirror

Ghaywan doesn’t hold back in his critique. One character sarcastically asks, “Is this how you’ll build a new society?” The question stings, because it’s not just rhetorical—it’s directed at all of us. The film isn’t content with just giving voice to the voiceless. It demands accountability from those in power—those who perpetuate injustice by pretending it doesn’t exist.

Homebound is a story of pain, perseverance, and the pursuit of dignity. But more than that, it’s a cry for change. A reminder that solidarity can exist in silence—but change requires us to speak up.

Director: Neeraj Ghaywan
Cast: Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, Vishal Jethwa, Shalini Vatsa, Harshika Parmar
Genre: Drama / Social Commentary
Runtime: 113 minutes
Platform: Selected for Un Certain Regard, Cannes 2025