Neeraj Ghaywan Gets Emotional As Homebound Receives 9 Minute Standing Ovation
After Masaan, filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan entered to Cannes Film Festival with his film ‘Homebound’. On Wednesday, ‘Homebound’ was screened at the 78th edition of Film Festival. The movie have Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vishal Jethwa as leading actors. The movie got a standing ovation of 9 minutes at the screening.
The story revolves around two childhood friends from a small village in North India, who pursue a police job that offers them the dignity they have long been denied. As they move closer to their goal, rising desperation begins to strain the bond between them.
Several visuals from the screening surfaced online in which filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan could be seen getting emotional on receiving thunderous applause. Teary eyed Neeraj also hugged producer Karan Johar. Ishaan also got emotional as the crowd stood up and clapped nonstop in the theatre.
As per Variety, ‘Homebound’ revolves around two childhood friends from a small North Indian village who chase a police job that promises them the dignity they’ve long been denied. But as they inch closer to their dream, mounting desperation threatens the bond that holds them together. Ghaywan described ‘Homebound’ as “a deeply personal story about friendship, dignity, and survival.”
“It’s about people who are often unseen, and the quiet strength they carry in a world that rarely pauses for them,” said the director, adding that he hopes the film “helps us look closer–with empathy–and see what we’ve been conditioned to ignore.”
Legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese recently joined the film as executive producer. In an official note shared by the film’s team, Martin Scorsese praised ‘Homebound’. “I have seen Neeraj’s first film Masaan in 2015 and I loved it, so when Melita Toscan du Plantier sent me the project of his second film, I was curious. I loved the story, the culture, and was willing to help. 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,” Scorsese said.
Homebound is a 2025 drama film written and directed by Neeraj Ghaywan. It is produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, along with Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta and Somen Mishra. Marijke deSouza and Melita Toscan du Plantier are co-producers, while Martin Scorsese and Pravin Khairnar are the executive producer.
The film had its world premiere at the Un Certain Regard section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, on 21 May 2025.