Mumbai, September 25, 2025 — Actor Vishal Jethwa has described his experience working on the film Homebound as a “dream come true,” reflecting on the personal and professional milestones the project has brought him. The film, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and produced by Dharma Productions, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival under the Un Certain Regard category and has been selected as India’s official entry for the Best International Feature category at the 2026 Oscars.
Jethwa, who plays the role of Chandan Kumar, shared that his most cherished moment was traveling internationally with his mother for the film’s premiere. “It might be normal for others to take a flight, but for me it was a special moment to travel with my mom in business class,” he said. The actor recalled growing up in a chawl and being fascinated by airplanes, dreaming of one day flying abroad with his mother. That dream was fulfilled when he took her to Cannes, calling it a moment of immense pride.
The journey to Homebound was not straightforward for Jethwa. He initially auditioned for the role of Shoaib, but was not selected. Later, due to last-minute changes, he was called back and eventually cast as Chandan. Despite having a leg injury at the time, he concealed it during auditions to avoid losing the opportunity. Jethwa lost 10 kilograms to prepare for the role, which he says mirrors his own life experiences of growing up in a lower-middle-class household and striving for recognition in the entertainment industry.
The film explores the friendship between Chandan and Shoaib, two young men who aspire to join the police force but face societal challenges rooted in caste and religion, especially during the COVID-19 lockdown. Inspired by journalist Basharat Peer’s New York Times article “Taking Amrit Home,” the story delves into themes of empathy, identity, and resilience.
At the Mumbai premiere of Homebound, Jethwa was seen getting emotional on the red carpet, embraced by his mother as he teared up in front of the cameras. The moment resonated with fans and industry peers, many of whom praised his journey from television to international acclaim.
Homebound is scheduled for theatrical release in India on September 26, 2025.
