 "Homebound Movie Review: Neeraj Ghaywan’s film starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa & Janhvi Kapoor on the politics of cast and faith deserves as Oscar")
Language: Hindi
Director: Neeraj Ghaywan
Cast: Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, Janhvi Kapoor
Neeraj Ghaywan’s directorial Homebound, starring Ishaan Khatter , Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor, needs to be celebrated for its brilliant craftsmanship. The true story behind Neeraj’s Homebound is inspired by a pandemic-era New York Times essay. He handled this delicate subject with utmost honesty, sensitivity and responsibility. If you have keenly observed Neeraj’s filmography, you will be able to make out his profound interest in the human condition, the socio-political dynamics and casteism in India, and Homebound is no exception.
This film finds its roots in a poignant real-life story first told in a New York Times op-ed during India’s COVID-19 lockdown, which is based on the friendship of the two boys, Shoaib (Ishaan Khatter) and Chandan ( Vishal Jethwa ). It’s a film that chronicles the struggles and sorrows of two young adults, their shattered and unfulfilled dreams, caste differences, and undying passion for what they aspire to achieve.
Homebound throws light on the lives of Shoaib (Ishaan Khatter), a Muslim, and Chandan (Vishal Jethwa), a Dalit, and how they aspire to be police trainees and how destiny shackles their spirit. Set in a small North Indian village, both the boys have their set of struggles in society, and they are real. Things don’t get better for them even when they move to a town, and both of them are seen swallowing humiliation because they belong to a certain caste and faith.
Shoaib (Ishaan Khatter), a Muslim boy, is seen to be humiliated even at his workplace, where a bunch of educated men try to put him down and refuse to take a glass of water from him. He is made fun of, and yet he refuses to go to Dubai, where he has already been offered a job by his father’s friend. He loves his country, but some men in his office are always there to question his honesty and credibility because of his faith.
Homebound shows that life is no better for Chandan (Vishal Jethwa) either. He keeps hiding his surname in the fear that people are going to treat him with disrespect. He refuses to fill up the SC/ST section too for quotas in various government services that he applies for.
When both Shoaib (Ishaan Khatter) and Chandan (Vishal Jethwa) migrate to a town to take up a daily labourer’s job, they are able to earn the money and send it back home. When things just start getting better, COVID hits and life takes a cruel turn. COVD didn’t spare anybody. But the worst affected were the migrant labourers. While the urban, educated Indians were fortunate to stay safe at home, their journey was very different.
In March 2020, when lockdown was enforced in India, all factories were shut, these two migrant workers, who were sharing rented accommodation with very little savings, didn’t know how they would reach home. But they were no longer in a position to pay the rent as well. They were just surviving on rice mixed with salt. In the film, Chandan is seen telling his friend, Shoaib, that in his dream he can only see biryani and how he is craving it. He mentions to Shoaib that once he reaches home, that is the first dish that he is going to pounce on.
(Spoiler alert) With public transport suspended and no access to train tickets, they eventually boarded a crowded truck headed for home. During the journey, Chandan, the Dalit boy played by Vishal Jethwa, fell seriously ill and was unable to make it. Both Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa have done absolute justice to the role. The expressions of Ishaan, as he tries hard to comfort his friend when he is burning with a high temperature, will break your heart. He carries him on his back until he finally gets an ambulance. He could have abandoned him, but he didn’t. As it is, caste was a barrier for both the boys, but then COVID became an even bigger barrier for humanity.
The precious lesson that you will carry back home from this film is that friendships are hard-earned and they are real and that strong comradeship doesn’t believe in caste, creed, or colour. Both Shoaib and Chandan are each other’s support system. Every expression of both Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa are so natural that you can feel each and every breath and every drop of tear rolling down their cheeks. The camerawork of the film is brilliant. Homebound makes us believe that a message can also be delivered without making noise.
The way Neeraj Ghaywan has handled the subject, I don’t think anybody else could have done it any better. It is only Neeraj who could have done this film, because he himself never shied away from his Dalit identity. He could bring out each and every scene with honesty because he has lived this life and can empathise with it. No wonder, he once said, “I wanted to call out my own self through this film.” This is what makes the film sharply personal. Homebound is not just a sensitive portrayal of casteism and faith, but it is also a technically exceptional film!
Rating: 4 and half out of 5
Homebound is releasing in cinemas today
WATCH the trailer of Homebound here:
Lachmi Deb Roy is the Entertainment Editor of Firstpost, Network18. She reviews films and series with a gender lens. She is a 'Rotten Tomatoes' certified critic. Her interviews are called 'Not Just Bollywood' because she takes a huge interest in world cinema. She has been the winner of the prestigious Laadli Media and Advertising Award for Gender Sensitivity for two consecutive years, 2020 and 2021. OTT over theatrical releases is her preference unless and until it's a King Khan film. She takes interest in fashion, food and art reviews too.