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The film has been announced as India’s official entry for the 2026 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category.
Homebound was released on September 26. (Photo Source: Instagram)
Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound, starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor, has generated significant buzz since its world premiere at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. The film was finally released in Indian theatres but had a slow start at the box office. Despite critical acclaim and praise from industry insiders, its collections haven’t reflected the same level of enthusiasm.
According to Sacnilk, Homebound earned an estimated Rs 29 lakh in India during its opening, with global collections around Rs 32 lakh. This is significantly lower compared to Ishaan Khatter’s earlier releases. Dhadak earned Rs 8.71 crore on its first day, while Phone Bhoot collected Rs 2.05 crore. Vishal Jethwa’s Salaam Venky debuted with Rs 45 lakh on its opening day.
Homebound: Plot And Cast
Homebound tells the story of two childhood friends from a small hamlet in India who aspire to become police officers, hoping the job will bring them the respect they’ve never received. However, as they pursue their dream, their friendship begins to strain under obstacles and professional pressures. The film also features Reem Shaikh, Harshika Parmar and Shalini Vatsa in supporting roles, alongside Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor.
The film, produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra, and co-produced by Marijke Desouza and Melita Toscan Du Plantier, promises to continue Ghaywan’s investigation into human connections and social landscapes in modern India.
Homebound Goes International
Homebound made its international debut in the Un Certain Regard section of Cannes 2025, which ran from May 14 to May 25. The film marks filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan’s highly anticipated return to the Cannes stage, a decade after his breakthrough film Masaan premiered and won two Oscars. Beyond Cannes, Homebound was also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM). Adding to the excitement, the film has been selected as India’s official entry for the 2026 Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category.
Kashvi Raj Singh is a Sub Editor at News18. She extensively covers Bollywood, Hollywood and television. She not only keeps an eye out for interesting news angles but also often writes social commentary in long-…Read More
Kashvi Raj Singh is a Sub Editor at News18. She extensively covers Bollywood, Hollywood and television. She not only keeps an eye out for interesting news angles but also often writes social commentary in long-… Read More
September 27, 2025, 10:05 IST
