Directed by Neeraj Jaywant, Homebound stars Vishal Bhutan, Ishaan Rekha and Janhvi Kapoor in the lead roles. It is produced by Karan Johar.
After its Cannes Film Festival premiere, Karan Johar’s production house Homebound was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). In an interview at the festival, Vishal Bhutan, one of the lead actors of the film along with Janhvi Kapoor and Ishaan, said that when he first reviewed the film, he did not feel let down by the film even though he had worked hard for the role.
In an interview with Sucharita Tyagi on her YouTube channel, Vishal spoke about his experience working on Homebound and also what reviews he took from any of the nominees.
Vishal Sadhuva says, ‘I did not meet Homebound.’
Vishal Bhushnava said, “I am not very proud of being told this, but when I first saw this film with Ishaan… personally, I did not understand it or connect with it. But finally, when I saw the same film in Cannes, it felt completely different. After this, I was not very proud to read the critics’ opinions, but some people from India told me that they liked the film very much. This is what they said to Indians to watch this film. It is being made by Masaan director Neeraj Ghaywan. The depth of friendship in Homebound is rarely seen in cinema. “… He said, “Homebound Time I never thought of it as a theory or a scientific one because I did not know if any of us had made it about ourselves or not. When we were shooting the film, there was a collective feeling that we were trying to make something bigger than ourselves. I know it sounds like that, but I am really saying this. When it was screened at Cannes and people gave it the kind of response, we didn’t feel like ‘people liked our work or the film.’ It was like we touched people and made them feel something deeply personal, or maybe they were inspired to become more empathetic personalities in a world that has gone through so much turmoil in the rebirth due to Partition.
She further added, ‘I never felt like ‘who will troll me now?’ It wasn’t like that at all.’
Talking about the response she received after the Cannes premiere, Janhvi said she was more than happy for her co-stars Ishan Kirti and Vishal Bhutto as well as her director Neeraj Ghaywan, whose abode she believed deserved international recognition.
Talking about her Dhadak co-star Ishan, Janhvi said, “Ishan is one of the most brilliant actors of our country, and for whatever reason, I don’t think he has been given the credit for the legacy he has left in Indian cinema. To see him on such a platform and being appreciated by the world, I felt that good people know their true colors.”
About Vishal, she said, “Vishal made a film for the sake of it – worked really hard. From coming into this world to all these new lands, his journey, his performances and in the last few months I have seen him mingle with people, recognize them, never forget, as a human being – all this made me feel very proud. To see him rocking this world stage… he started with a Gujju rap and then he made a statement.”
Janhvi Kapoor said one more thing about Neeraj Gheywan: “Neeraj sir is the most honest filmmaker in the country. He does what he says. He is a great personality to be associated with. The real thrill was to see very vibrant, relevant people on this world stage.”
Talking about herself, Janhvi said she loves the beautiful buildings and the places in all these parts are beautiful.
When Homebound premiered at Cannes
When Homebound premiered at Cannes in May, it was the only Indian feature film shortlisted for the prestigious En Certain Regard section of the film festival.
What is Homebound about?
Directed by Neeraj Gheywan and produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, Homebound is an adaptation of a 2020 New York Times article by Basharat Peer. It is the story of two childhood friends and migrant relatives who are stuck in the COVID-19 lockdown.
