Indian cinema had a proud and emotional moment on the global stage as Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the 78th Cannes Film Festival. The film, starring Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter, and Vishal Jethwa, received a thunderous 9-minute standing ovation, making it a landmark occasion for Indian storytelling.
As the applause echoed through the auditorium, emotions ran high. Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa shared a warm hug, visibly overwhelmed. Director Neeraj Ghaywan joined the actors onstage, and the trio called Janhvi Kapoor in for a heartfelt group embrace. Watching the touching moment unfold, producer Karan Johar was seen wiping away tears, moved by the film’s reception. Janhvi’s sister Khushi Kapoor and her boyfriend Shikhar Pahariya were also spotted in the crowd, enthusiastically clapping as chants of “Bravo!” filled the air.
Homebound is a stirring tale of two childhood friends from a North Indian village who dream of becoming police officers to escape societal limitations and earn respect. But as desperation mounts, their once-unbreakable friendship faces a critical test.
The screenplay, penned by Ghaywan and Sumit Roy, dives deep into themes of ambition, inequality, and friendship, delivering a story that resonated powerfully with the international audience.
As the only Indian feature at Cannes 2025, Homebound not only brought global recognition to its cast and crew but also reaffirmed the potential of Indian cinema to tell raw, grounded, and universally impactful stories.
