Homebound: A moving drama about xenophobia and systematic oppression – Cannes criticism

Film reviews

May 22, 2025 at 9:31 p.m.

The Indian director Neraj Ghaywan presented his film “Homebound” in Cannes in 2025. With shooting star Janhvi Kapoor. That is good for the socially critical drama!

The Indian cinema often has a hard time on European stage. Too much singing, too much dance, too emotional, too pathetic – that's the old clichés. In many places, it does not seem to have arrived that this has long been outdated.

“Homebound”, which celebrates its premiere in the Un-Certain-Regard section this year, impressively provides the counter-evidence. A socially critical drama that hits the heart-and is particularly relevant in the context of the current India Pakistan conflict.

When the system suppresses people

The focus is on two friends: Chandan (Vishal Jethwa) and Shoaib (Ishaan Khaatter). Both come from a low caste – but the box system has long been abolished? Officially yes. However, there is little to feel in many rural areas. There the two fight against discrimination every day.

In addition: Shoaib is Muslim and Pakistani descent. He is constantly being treated, “as if he is no one”, as he says himself. The title Homebound sums it up – the two are condemned to stay trapped in their home.

A career? Unreachable. A move to the city? Prevented by the covid pandemic. A particularly strong storyline opens up in the middle of the film: how people from rural areas were dismissed and dehumanized during the pandemic. For many in this country, this may seem foreign – but it has been bitter reality.

Precisely because we were affected by pandemic in Europe too, this part of the narrative also works across cultural borders. And although it is actually wrong to speak of “Indian culture” – India is a country full of diversity – the film succeeds in a universal approach.

Shooting star Janhvi Kapoor with Starpower

Also included is Janhvi Kapoor, one of the largest stars in the Indian cinema. With over 26 million followers on Instagram, she is one of the most prominent personalities on the red carpet in Cannes – even if it is (still) rather unknown in German -speaking countries.

Since “Homebound” runs in the UN-CERTAIN regard section, the film has no chance of the golden palm-but here too, an important price is awarded. Does “Homebound” win him?