Watch: ‘Homebound’ Trailer Highlights Casteism, Religion And Resilience In Small-Town India
The trailer of Neeraj Ghaywan’s ‘Homebound’, starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, has been unveiled ahead of its September 26 release.
The much-anticipated trailer of Neeraj Ghaywan’s ‘Homebound’ was unveiled for Indian audiences on Wednesday. The film, which first premiered at Cannes and later earned accolades at the Toronto International Film Festival, tells the moving story of two friends fighting casteism and communal discrimination as they chase their shared dream of becoming policemen. Backed by Dharma Productions, the trailer release comes after a successful global festival run and ahead of the film’s theatrical release on September 26.
Check out the trailer here:
‘Homebound’ is Neeraj Ghaywan’s second narrative feature after his acclaimed debut ‘Masaan’ (2015). In the decade since, the filmmaker has directed episodes of ‘Made in Heaven’ and ‘Sacred Games,’ along with the widely praised short ‘Geeli Pucchi’.
At Cannes, ‘Homebound’ was screened in the prestigious Un Certain Regard section, and it went on to finish as the second runner-up for the People’s Choice Award at TIFF 2025.
The trailer introduces viewers to childhood best friends Mohammad Shoaib (Ishaan Khatter) and Chandan Kumar (Vishal Jethwa), who live in a small village in Uttar Pradesh. Both men aspire to secure police jobs, believing that the authority of a government uniform will earn them the respect society has denied them. Shoaib, employed as an office boy at an MNC, faces routine prejudice due to his religion, while Chandan, a Dalit, is subjected to taunts about his caste. Their struggles are depicted with stark honesty, reflecting the systemic barriers they must overcome.
Janhvi Kapoor joins the cast as the third member of their group, a PhD aspirant confronting her own challenges within a patriarchal setup. The film is inspired by a 2020 New York Times article written by Basharat Peer.
The essay, titled ‘A Friendship, a Pandemic and a Death Beside the Highway’, recounted the story of two migrant workers attempting a 1,500-kilometre journey from Gujarat to Uttar Pradesh during India’s sudden nationwide lockdown. A striking image of one friend cradling the other after he collapsed in the heat served as the seed for Neeraj Ghaywan’s narrative.
Although the trailer does not explicitly reference the pandemic, fleeting visuals – migrant workers walking on highways, mask-clad faces, and police wielding lathis – signal its presence. The primary focus remains on the enduring bond between Shoaib and Chandan, and the resilience they embody despite systemic injustices.
The trailer, shared on Dharma’s YouTube and social media handles, struck a chord with audiences. Viewers praised the authenticity of performances, with comments ranging from “My God. All are too good… batana mushkil hai kisne jada acha kaam kia hai” to “Cried while watching this trailer! As an aspiring filmmaker from a middle-class family after being rejected from film school, I can relate a lot.”
‘Homebound’ is produced by Karan Johar and executive produced by Hollywood legend Martin Scorsese, further underscoring its international pedigree. The film also reunites Ishaan and Janhvi, who previously co-starred in ‘Dhadak’ (2018). Interestingly, Dhadak’s recent sequel ‘Dhadak 2’ also dealt with caste-based oppression, thematically aligning with Neeraj Ghaywan’s latest project.
Following its acclaimed festival run, ‘Homebound’ is now set for its theatrical release in India on September 26, bringing home a story that has already resonated with global audiences.
