Ishaan Khatter has been gaining wide acclaim for his performance in Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound. Following its world premiere at Cannes, Homebound has been selected as India’s official entry for the 98th
Academy Awards.
During Zoom’s Best Performance Male 2025 roundtable, Ishaan Khatter opened up about how the film thoughtfully portrays male friendships without trivialising them.
Ishaan Khatter on Homebound’s Portrayal of Male Friendship
During the conversation, Ishaan shared, “The first thing is that even we are realising retrospectively that we haven’t seen a story about friendship like this in years. A story that doesn’t trivialise male friendship. Even in jokes or laughter, it doesn’t fizzle out.”
He continued, “You stay with the uncomfortable moments, with the vulnerable moments. It’s a deep friendship, literally a life-in-death kind of bond… Male friendship has been seen on screen after so long, and that’s why so many men are crying after watching the film. And it’s not a sad cry; it’s a cathartic cry.”
Ishaan further praised director Neeraj Ghaywan’s efforts to showcase such a pure bond between two male friends. “Vishal has always said that this is a big victory for us because it is the soul of the film. But I don’t think we would have reached there if it wasn’t for Neeraj; their friendship wouldn’t have been portrayed so beautifully,” Ishaan added.
Homebound’s Plot and Cast
Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound follows the story of two childhood friends, Chandan and Shoaib. The film depicts how Chandan and Shoaib aspire to become police officers in the hopes of escaping the deep-seated hostility they suffer in the society.
As they prepare to follow their dreams, the plot takes an unexpected turn when the exam results are delayed. The delay jeopardises both Chandan and Shoaib’s future and challenges their friendship.
At the core of the plot, it explores an emotionally rich, never-before-seen bond between two male friends who try to navigate life and struggles together. Alongside Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa, the film also stars Janhvi Kapoor in another significant role.
Homebound Gets Shortlisted at the Oscars
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recently announced shortlisted films across 12 categories. Homebound has officially secured its place in the Best International Feature Film category. The 98th Academy Awards will take place on March 15, 2026.
