May 21, 2025 : A decade after Masaan, acclaimed filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan returned to the Cannes Film Festival with his latest film, Homebound, which received an emotional and thunderous 9-minute standing ovation during its premiere at the 78th edition of the festival.
The film stars Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vishal Jethwa in lead roles. Audience members were visibly moved by the story, and videos from the screening show an emotional Neeraj Ghaywan tearing up and hugging producer Karan Johar as the crowd applauded. Actor Ishaan Khatter was also seen holding back tears during the long ovation.
As per Variety, Homebound tells the story of two childhood friends from a North Indian village who aspire to become police officers — a job that symbolizes dignity and hope. As they edge closer to achieving their goal, the emotional and social weight of their realities begins to threaten their deep-rooted bond.
Neeraj Ghaywan called the film “a deeply personal story about friendship, dignity, and survival.” He added,
“It’s about people who are often unseen, and the quiet strength they carry in a world that rarely pauses for them.”
Adding a global dimension to the film’s reach, legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese joined Homebound as an executive producer. In a statement, Scorsese said,
“I have seen Neeraj’s first film Masaan in 2015 and I loved it… Neeraj has made a beautifully crafted film that’s a significant contribution to Indian cinema. I am glad the movie is an official selection at Un Certain Regard in Cannes this year.”
Homebound marks a strong return for Ghaywan and further establishes his voice in international cinema.