Homebound Director Neeraj Ghaywan Ends Debate On Casting Janhvi Kapoor As Dalit Girl: Has Inner Hunger To Portray A Character

Janhvi

Kapoor is one of the top actresses in the industry today and she has been delivering promising performances one after another. The actress who won hearts with her performance in Sidharth Malhotra's Param Sundari is all set to drench them with emotions now with Homebound, co-starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa. The film is all set to hit the theatres on September 26th and director Neeraj Ghaywan has shared his vision behind casting Janhvi in the role of a dalit girl.

Neeraj Ghaywan On Casting Janhvi Kapoor In Homebound

At a recent event for Homebound, Ghaywan addressed the conversations around casting Janhvi in a Dalit role, a choice that has sparked questions and debate. The filmmaker said, "In India, we have people from all walks of life. What I was searching for wasn't just acting skill, but also the inner hunger to portray a character with intensity and truth." Further, he added, "This character isn’t going to come to you. You have to go to it. You have to step out of your privileged life, confront that reality, and let it settle within you." He also shared hat casting the right actor wasn’t just about screen presence or line delivery, it was about emotional depth and lived sincerity, especially when telling the stories of historically marginalised communities.For the unversed,

Homebound has officially been selected as India's entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 2026 Oscars. The film marks Ghaywan's return to direction after nearly a decade and fans are super excited.

More about Homebound

Homebound had its world premiere on Wednesday in the prestigious Un Certain Regard section at Cannes, where it was met with an enthusiastic audience in a packed hall. The crowd’s excitement was undeniable, culminating in a remarkable 9-minute standing ovation. Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor. Backed by Dharma Productions with Martin Scorsese as executive producer, the film follows two best friends, a Muslim and a Dalit, as they chase their dream of becoming cops while navigating caste, religion, love, and survival in a North Indian village.