Last Updated:
Janhvi Kapoor posed with Shikhar Pahariya’s family and honoured Sridevi in her saree at the Homebound premiere, India’s official entry for the 2026 Oscars.
Janhvi Kapoor poses with Shikhar Pahariya’s family at Homebound’s Mumbai premiere.
The Mumbai premiere of Homebound, India’s official entry to the 2026 Academy Awards, brought together the best of Bollywood, but it was Janhvi Kapoor who added a deeply personal touch to the evening.
Not only did she walk the red carpet as one of the film’s leads, but Janhvi was also photographed posing with boyfriend Shikhar Pahariya’s family. The actress stood alongside Shikhar’s parents and his grandfather, veteran politician and former Home Affairs Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde. The rare public moment was quickly picked up online, with many interpreting it as Janhvi’s quiet acknowledgment of her growing closeness with Shikhar’s family.
A Saree With Emotional Legacy
Adding to the sentiment, Janhvi chose a royal blue and black pashmina saree from her late mother Sridevi’s collection. The saree, once worn by Sridevi at Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma’s wedding reception, carried a legacy of its own.
Fans immediately spotted the emotional tribute. Social media was filled with admiration, with comments like, “She’s her mom’s mirror image,” and “Sridevi would be proud tonight.” For Janhvi, the outfit transformed her red-carpet moment into one of remembrance and connection.
A Premiere With Global Buzz
The evening itself was a star-studded celebration. From Arjun Kapoor and Malaika Arora to Hrithik Roshan, Farah Khan, and Vicky Kaushal, the industry’s biggest names turned up to support Neeraj Ghaywan’s film.
Homebound, co-produced by Karan Johar with Martin Scorsese as executive producer, has been generating significant Oscar buzz since its debut at Cannes earlier this year. Starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, the story explores the lives of a Muslim and a Dalit youth whose shared dream of joining the police force is tested by caste prejudice, religious divides, and systemic injustice.
Speaking at a press conference earlier, Ghaywan explained his vision: “If our goal was only to take the film to festivals like Cannes or TIFF, we were confident it would receive applause. But to truly connect with audiences, we needed the support of stars. That said, the story will always remain the real king of any film.”
Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, …Read More
Shrishti Negi is a journalist with over eight years of experience in the media industry. She leads the Entertainment desk at News18.com. She writes breaking news stories, generates feature ideas, edits copies, … Read More
September 23, 2025, 03:31 IST
