Vishal Jethwa Shares How Homebound Director Neeraj Ghaywan Created An 'Actors' Set': Don't Try To Impress...

Vishal

Jethwa and Ishaan Khatter play two friends, Chandan Kumar and Mohammed Shoaib Ali, in Homebound. Written and directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, the film is based on a New York Times article by Basharat Peer about the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. After the release of the Hindi film in India, Vishal revealed how the director was able to extract such natural performances from his actors on Homebound.

Vishal Jethwa on how Neeraj Ghaywan helped his peformance in Homebound

In an inteview with Bollywood Hungama, Vishal shared the many ways Ghaywan tried to make them comfortable on set. The Mardaani 2 actor said, "Neeraj sir's speciality is that when any actor works on his set, they feel it's an actors' set. I feel that when I go to set everything is according to my comfort to perform. Sir listens to music. And whenever there is an emotional scene, he'll try to match that music to you. If there is a scene involving anger and if you're sitting quietly, so accordingly he'll create a playlist for you and make you listen before the scene. Sometimes it helps you get into that scene. At the same time, he'll take care to see that you're not especially triggered by the song."

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ALSO READ: Vishal Jethwa Talks About Differences With Homebound Co-Stars Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter But 'Fir Bhi Connect Ho Gaye'"He taught us a new thing, code 360. I have never seen it on any other set. This was his proper homework and he called all the team members and told them that whatever scene is going on, everyone will behave in the same manner," he added. If there was an emotional scene, even the clap board would be quiet as to not startle the actors. Vishal also said that Neeraj asked them to be natural. "Don't try to impress anyone, just express," was his advice to the actors. "Don't overdo it; just keep it simple" was the mantra. Homebound had its world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in May.