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Direct from its premiere at Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard where it received a ten minute standing ovation, HOMEBOUND, the long awaited new feature from acclaimed Indian director Neeraj Ghaywan (MASAAN), executive produced by Martin Scorsese, opens in Australian cinemas on September 26.

Starring Ishan Khatter, Vishal Jeyjwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, HOMEBOUND is the story of two childhood friends – one Muslim and one Dalit, from a small North Indian village who chase a police job that promises them the dignity they’ve long been denied. But as they inch closer to their dream, mounting desperation threatens the bond that holds them together.

The film is loosely based on a New York Times opinion piece ‘Taking Amrit Home’ by the journalist Basharat Peer which tracked the journeys – sometimes of hundreds or even thousands of miles – taken by millions of Indians who travelled on foot to get home during the nation’s strict lockdown during the pandemic.

Director Neera Ghaywan was drawn to the core of the story, which focused on the childhood friendship between two men – one Muslim and the other Dalit (formerly known as the untouchables). Neera Ghaywan is a Dalit himself so the story resonated strongly.

“Homebound is a deeply personal story about friendship, dignity ,and survival. It’s about people who are often unseen, and the quiet strength they carry in a world that rarely pauses for them. I hope the film helps us look closer—with empathy—and see what we’ve been conditioned to ignore.”

HOMEBOUND releases in cinemas worldwide on September 26

REVIEWS:

“Neeraj Ghaywan’s “Homebound” is the first time in ages that a mainstream Hindi-language production has felt vital. .A drama in which aspirations collide with harsh political realities, its tale of impoverished young men trying to escape their circumstances proves to be both a moving character piece, as well as a searing indictment of modern India.” VARIETY

“In Ghaywan’s hands, Homebound has the wonderful glow and warmth of the winter sun. It is gorgeously shot in India’s rural North, capturing simple joys and the daily struggles of its Muslim and Dalit protagonists. The two men, the woman one of them loves (Kapoor and Jethwa both portray Dalit characters), and their interactions offer much to reflect on and understand.” BBC

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