Director brings young Bollywood to the Croisette…
NEERAJ GHAYWAN’S Cannes bound ‘Homebound’ posts on Instagram offered some intriguing titbits of information but did not go into any detail.
Ghaywan’s own feed saw him put out a statement in a poster style and included three stills from the film itself, it would seem.
He posted IMDB’s recognition that his film had been selected for the Un Certain Regard section and then followed it up with another post that looked like a poster, proclaiming: “We are deeply honoured & delighted to have our film officially selected for the Festival de Cannes 78th edition in the Un Certain Regard category.
It went onto add that the film starred Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa & Janhvi Kapoor.
It is produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta and Somen Mishra and co-produced by Marijke deSouza & Melita Toscan Du Plantier and all under the banner of Dharma Productions – Johar’s own production outfit.
Khatter was effusive about the selection, commenting: “A film that I knew was special from the moment it entered my life and my most challenging part yet. This is what dreams are made of. Pure intention, grit, compassion and truth. One of the proudest moments of my cinematic journey thus far. All led by my friend with a beautiful mind and a deep empathy not many possess – @neerajghaywan ⭐️ also marks my homecoming with @karanjohar and @dharmamovies after 7 years.”
He ended by saying everyone connected to ‘Homebound’ was honoured by its Cannes selection.
“Our hearts are full and we can’t wait to show you all this journey on the big screens!”
Vishal Jethwa shared his elation, telling the Indian media he had started out in cinema as a background dancer in 2009.
“It’s been 16 years since. I have never got work from someone’s favour but have always earned it.”
His mother was the first person he told about its selection for Cannes 2025.
“She started crying. I can’t even describe what all I have seen in between.”
He said he had a mixture of emotions thinking about Cannes – both confidence and fear of taking a wrong step.
He said he hopes the industry would recognise his ability now with ‘Homebound’ saying he wasn’t a “one-hit wonder” but “here to stay”.
He had praise for Ghaywan and Johar, as reported in the Hindustan Times recently.
“When people like Karan Johar and Neeraj Ghaywan come and see you to be deserving for such a big break, then it is a big validation and gives a big confidence boost.”
As the film will premiere in the Un Certain Regard section, it will screen in the slightly smaller Debussy Theatre, which is next to the Grand Lumiere and about half of its two thousand capacity.
Among those congratulating Homebound’s filmmakers were Cannes veterans Guneet Monga and Anurag Kashyap, Shekhar Kapur and Nandita Das, who has served on the jury and last brought ‘Manto’ to UCR in 2018.
Kapoor’s Instagram feed, which has 26 million followers, has the same statement poster, while Johar’s 17 million followers don’t know about his involvement in ‘Homebound’ (yet).
Khatter, whose half brother is Bollywood star, Shahid Kapoor (star of this year’s ‘Deva’), has been doing work in the West. He featured in ‘The Perfect Couple’ – a murder mystery series which is available on Netflix and stars Nicole Kidman, Dakota Fanning, Eve Hewson, Isabelle Adjani, Sam Nivola and Live Schreiber.
Also announced this week and dropping on Netflix on May 9 is Khatter’s new drama series with Bhumi Pednekar, ‘The Royals’. In this Khatter plays a prince who also runs a start-up alongside Pednekar, whose character is a go-getting modern Indian woman.
Kapoor’s stock has been rising – the daughter of one of India’s most enduring and loved stars Sridevi, the young actor had success with ‘Dhadak’, opposite Khatter and produced by Johar.
Appearing alongside South Indian megastar NT Rama Rao, known mostly as NTR Jr – their ‘Devara’ was a huge hit and Kapoor will feature the follow-up ‘Devara 2’ which is expected to start filming this year.
Images: Neeraj Ghaywan Instagram
