Imagine watching a film that makes you question your own place in the world of storytelling—Anurag Basu was left utterly humbled by Homebound, and you won't believe the emotional rollercoaster it sparked! Dive in to discover why this Bollywood heavyweight's heartfelt reaction is igniting conversations everywhere.
Bollywood Maestro Anurag Basu Opens Up About Being Deeply Moved by Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa's Homebound
Posted on: December 25, 2025, at 6:06 AM IST
Renowned filmmaker Anurag Basu revealed that right after viewing Homebound, he reached out to director Neeraj Ghaywan with a personal message. The movie features a stellar cast including Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, alongside other talented actors.
Anurag Basu (explore more at Hindustan Times: https://www.hindustantimes.com/topic/anurag-basu) showered immense praise on Homebound, confessing that it made him "really feel small" as a creator. In an interview with Zoom (check out the full scoop on Times Now News: https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/bollywood/homebound-made-me-feel-really-small-says-anurag-basu-cinema-so-good-that-exclusive-article-153341618), he also expressed how profoundly the film "really affected" him. This Indian gem has earned a spot on the shortlist for the 98th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category—a testament to its global appeal.
Anurag Basu's Personal Take on How Homebound Touched Him
Reflecting on Homebound, Anurag shared, “After seeing Neeraj’s film, I really felt small. I even messaged him about it. Cinema can be so powerful that even without meeting those real-life characters or facing those situations, you experience it all right there in the theater. It really affected me. I've never been so affected. Take Shalini Vatsa's chappal scene, for example—it completely shook me up.” For beginners in film appreciation, this means the movie's storytelling is so vivid and emotionally charged that it transports viewers into the characters' worlds, evoking empathy and introspection without any personal connection to the events.
What Anurag Basu Shared About the Film Previously
Back on October 10, following his screening of Homebound, Anurag took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to post a thoughtful note, describing it as "a timely, aching film." He wrote, "Saw #Homebound last night and I’m still in its beautiful hangover. A timely, aching film that deserves every conversation and, yes, an Oscar nod. Neeraj @ghywan made me feel wonderfully inferior as a filmmaker, #IshanKhattar #Vishal #JhanviKapoor #Shalinivats are simply brilliant." This earlier endorsement highlights how the film lingered with him, much like a dream you can't shake off, emphasizing its relevance to current societal issues.
A Closer Look at Homebound
Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, Homebound features Ishaan Khatter (read more on Hindustan Times: https://www.hindustantimes.com/topic/ishaan-khatter), Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor in key roles. The story revolves around childhood buddies Shoaib, played by Ishaan Khatter, and Chandan, portrayed by Vishal Jethwa, whose aspiration to become police officers profoundly influences their paths. Janhvi Kapoor brings heartfelt layers to the narrative, which explores themes of camaraderie, responsibility, and the challenges confronting India's youth. For newcomers to Indian cinema, think of it as a poignant exploration of dreams deferred by real-world pressures, like economic hurdles or societal expectations, making the characters' journeys relatable and thought-provoking.
The film launched spectacularly on Netflix on November 21 and has been garnering widespread acclaim at various film festivals and award ceremonies. After its debut at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, it also graced the Toronto International Film Festival. Interestingly, it's drawn inspiration from journalist Basharat Peer's piece "Taking Amrit Home," also known as "A Friendship, a Pandemic and a Death Beside the Highway," which adds a layer of real-life authenticity to its plot.
But here's where it gets controversial: Is it fair for a film inspired by true events to sensationalize or simplify complex socio-political issues for cinematic appeal? Some might argue it humanizes tough topics, while others could see it as glossing over deeper systemic problems— what do you think?
Homebound's Oscar Journey
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences unveiled shortlists in 12 categories recently. For the international feature film segment, 15 movies advanced, set to be narrowed down to just five finalists.
Joining Homebound on the list are Argentina’s Belén, Brazil’s The Secret Agent, France’s It Was Just an Accident, Germany’s Sound of Falling, Iraq’s The President’s Cake, Japan’s Kokuho, Jordan’s All That’s Left of You, Norway’s Sentimental Value, Palestine’s Palestine 36, South Korea’s No Other Choice, Spain’s Sirât, Switzerland’s Late Shift, Taiwan’s Left-Handed Girl, and Tunisia’s The Voice of Hind Rajab. And this is the part most people miss: The final nominations for these categories will be decided in the upcoming weeks, with the big reveal happening on January 22, 2026. It's a reminder of how global cinema is evolving, blending cultures and stories that resonate far beyond borders.
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What are your thoughts on Anurag Basu's reaction—does it change how you view Homebound or his films? Do you agree that films like this deserve Oscar attention, or should they prioritize different stories? Share your opinions in the comments below, and let's debate!
