Following its world premiere at the Cannes International Film Festival this year, Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound had a much-celebrated festival run globally. The film, that became India’s official selection
at the Oscars, has now been shortlisted for the 98th Academy Awards in the International Feature Film category, being placed among 15 films still in contention from around the world. Last month, Gurinder Chadha hosted a special London screening for the film as part of its international promotional tour.
Joining Neeraj and Gurinder were Karan Johar, Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa. With Homebound achieving so many feats, the Mistress Of Spices and Bride And Prejudice director only has best wishes for it, hoping for it to bring home the Oscar and make India proud. Speaking exclusively to News18, she says, “I’ve known Karan for a very long time. He called me and asked me if I would want to host the screening of Homebound in London. I told him, ‘Of course, yaar! No problem.’ It was a no brainer.”
Sharing her thoughts on Neeraj’s sophomore feature, Gurinder tells us, “I really enjoyed it. It was wonderful to see the film with the British audience. What I thought was remarkable about Homebound was how it reminded us all of how we were connected at the time when the coronavirus had started spreading and affecting us. That’s the universal quality of the film. I loved that and I loved the way the story unfolded. It was an absolute pleasure and honour to talk to Neeraj, Ishaan, Vishal and Karan.”
Karan’s Dharma Productions, a mainstream banner, backing a film like Homebound has set a precedent. Gurinder lauds the move but at the same time, quips if his sensibilities interfered with Neeraj’s vision. “I must say that I had a few laughs with Karan as well during the QnA. He was very gracious and funny. I asked Neeraj that with Karan as the producer, was there no point where there was pressure to move away from the sad storyline and bring in the title theme music of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai!” she says with a laugh.
“Neeraj said to me that Karan never asked for that. I said, what a shame! We had some good laughs. Karan also hosted the QnA at the premiere screening of my film, Christmas Karma. I was scared that he would rib me something terrible!” she adds. For the unversed, Gurinder’s friendship with Karan dates back to more than two decades. It all started at the Cannes International Film Festival that was attended by Karan and his father, late Yash Johar.
“Karan and I’ve that relationship. He’s Punjabi like me. Even with all his fancy schmancy, Karan toh mera Punjabi pra hai! I knew his father too. The first time that I met him and Yash ji was when they watched Bend It Like Beckham in Cannes in 2001. When they came out, they were smiling. Patting me on my back, Yash ji told me, ‘Shabaash!’ It was the Punjabi connection that they loved,” recalls Gurinder.
