Get ready for a powerful cinematic journey this fall — Neeraj Ghaywan’s critically lauded film Homebound is officially set for a worldwide theatrical release on September 26, 2025. After turning heads and winning hearts at both the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and Cannes, the film is now gearing up to connect with global audiences in cinemas.
Starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, Homebound is directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, whose breakout film Masaan earned him two Cannes awards in 2015 and a loyal following for his emotionally rich, socially conscious storytelling. Produced under the banner of Dharma Productions by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra, the film marks a striking departure from Dharma's typical glossy fare — instead diving headfirst into themes of caste, friendship, and displacement.
Inspired by journalist Basharat Peer's New York Times article, the story follows two young men navigating the harrowing early days of India’s COVID-19 lockdown, as they attempt to walk hundreds of kilometers back to their hometown. Along the way, they confront not only physical exhaustion, but the invisible walls of class, caste, and internalized prejudice. The result is a haunting, layered reflection of modern India, reminiscent of Ghaywan’s signature emotional realism.
The film’s tagline — “No feeling is final” — appears on the first look poster, released by Dharma alongside the date announcement. The minimal yet poignant image already hints at the film's stark, empathetic tone and understated power.
While Homebound is expected to have a global streaming release post-theatrical run, the team’s decision to bring it first to cinemas shows growing confidence in India's evolving audience, increasingly open to art-house storytelling that still packs mainstream appeal. Think of it as The Lunchbox meets Masaan — raw, poetic, and urgent.
As awards buzz brews and film critics ready their pens, Homebound is shaping up to be one of 2025’s most important Indian films, and perhaps even a new benchmark in socially conscious Bollywood cinema.