In May 2020, a striking newspaper image captured the world’s attention: a slender Saiyub cradling an unconscious Amrit on a sweltering highway in Madhya Pradesh. This powerful visual offered a poignant counter-narrative to the pervasive fear of the raging virus. More than just a sorrowful depiction of unwavering friendship, it highlighted Saiyub’s courageous act of taking Amrit home amidst media narratives that unfairly targeted a specific community as disease spreaders. Journalist Basharat Peer diligently followed this story, tracing the journey of these two friends back to their village in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Five years later, inspired by this very real-life account, writer-director Neeraj Ghaywan transforms the journalistic precision of an Op-ed into the film Homebound. This cinematic experience is profoundly immersive and emotionally powerful, capturing both the specific challenges of the pandemic era and universal themes. The film delves into societal caste and religious discrimination, illuminating the arduous struggles of migrant workers during the ill-conceived lockdown, all without resorting to heavy-handed moralizing. Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, Homebound stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, Janhvi Kapoor, and Shalini Vats, with a runtime of 119 minutes. It tells the story of two friends whose fervent desire to transcend their social circumstances takes a devastating turn during the lockdown.
Expanding upon the foundation of Peer’s original reporting, Neeraj and his co-writers meticulously craft the backstories of these young men, leading up to that fateful, scorching highway where their aspirations are brutally shattered. In this poignant narrative, Saiyub and Amrit become Shoaib and Chandan, two impoverished youths driven by a fierce determination to liberate their families from the clutches of poverty. Shoaib yearns for proper medical treatment for his ailing farmer father. Chandan dreams of building a cement-roofed home for his construction worker mother, wishing he could ease the pain of her cracked heels. Though she is capable of cooking mid-day meals at a government school, the prevailing prejudices mean other parents refuse to let their children eat her food. While stringent laws exist against untouchability, the film subtly questions their true implementation in modern India.
Having made a significant mark with his 2015 debut Masaan, Neeraj once again masterfully portrays the daily experiences of subtle mistreatment, indignities, and casual slights endured by marginalized social groups. Shoaib frequently faces reminders of his Muslim identity, while Chandan’s Dalit background is highlighted in public spaces, workplaces, and even recreational areas. Yet, despite this relentless humiliation, both characters cling steadfastly to their vision of India, never losing hope.
Like millions of young, unemployed Indians, rarely seen with sincere representation in mainstream Hindi cinema, Shoaib and Chandan aspire to join the police force, hoping it will shield them from identity-based discrimination. However, for this vast ocean of hopefuls, merely taking the entrance exam transforms into a grueling battle, and the subsequent wait for results feels like an agonizing punishment. Chandan passes, but Shoaib doesn’t, leaving both still without employment.
Janhvi Kapoor, Vishwal Jethwa and Ishaan Khatter in ‘Homebound’. (Photo Credit: Dharma Productions/YouTube)
Neeraj delicately develops the narrative with understated emotional realism, prompting us to reflect on the dehumanizing perspective prevalent in certain parts of society. Pratik Shah’s skillful cinematography creates a palpable sense of confinement, while the precise editing ensures that the ensemble’s nuanced performances build a quiet intensity, significantly enhancing the impact of this all-too-familiar struggle.
Ishaan and Vishal deliver remarkably convincing portrayals of vulnerability, desperation, and the sheer will to survive. While Vishal has sometimes tended towards over-expression in past roles, his performance as the understated Chandan, a follower of Bhimarao Ambedkar, is quietly powerful here. Ishaan, with his natural ease, complements Vishal, creating a dynamic between them that resonates deeply.
As the narrative follows the boys, Neeraj commendably keeps the focus on the strong female figures surrounding them. Sudha Bharti, portrayed by Janhvi Kapoor, travels alongside Chandan and encourages him to pursue higher education and greater ambitions. When Chandan voices his frustration over discrimination, his sister sharply reminds him that she never even had the luxury of choosing to pursue an education. His mother, with heartbreaking honesty, shares that her sole inheritance from her own mother consists of nothing but the painful fissures in her heels. This profound resilience is a beacon throughout Homebound, powerfully conveyed through the incisive dialogue crafted by Varun Grover and Shreedhar Dubey.
Notably, cinematic legend Martin Scorsese joined Homebound as an executive producer, a testament to the film’s powerful storytelling.
At times, the film’s aesthetic and muted visual style can feel like an exposition of India’s social divisions, potentially aimed at a global audience. Towards its conclusion, it seems that the intricate nuances of Peer’s original perspective have been somewhat smoothed over, possibly to navigate censorship concerns. For example, the continuing struggles faced by Shoaib under the arbitrary lockdown, even after encountering health officials on the road, are noticeably understated.
Despite these minor observations, Homebound remains an profoundly important film for our current era, especially as societal trust appears to be in steady decline. It stands as a strong contender for critical acclaim, even the prestigious, elusive Oscar.
This compelling film is scheduled to release in theatres on January 26, 2025.