The North American premiere of "Homebound" at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) has generated buzz, especially surrounding a heartwarming moment involving lead actors Janhvi Kapoor and Vishal Jethwa. The film, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and featuring Ishaan Khatter alongside Kapoor and Jethwa, has already garnered acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival.

"Homebound" tells the story of two childhood friends, Shoaib (Ishaan Khatter) and Chandan (Vishal Jethwa), who aspire to become police officers. Janhvi Kapoor plays Sudha Bharti, who motivates Chandan to pursue his academic potential and embodies a moral compass within the film. The film delves into themes of class, caste, and religion, reflecting the challenges faced by marginalized communities in India.

Following the Cannes premiere, Vishal Jethwa shared an anecdote that highlighted his bond with Janhvi Kapoor. After the premiere and interviews, the two actors went for a stroll and enjoyed ice cream together. According to Jethwa, Janhvi Kapoor's boyfriend, Shikhar Pahariya, was also present, and they all had a pleasant conversation. Jethwa described feeling very connected to Kapoor. He also mentioned that Kapoor reached out to him after they returned to Mumbai, emphasizing the value of having a friend in a co-actor.

The premiere at TIFF marked another significant moment for "Homebound", showcasing it to a global audience. The cast and crew celebrated their hard work on the red carpet. Janhvi Kapoor stunned in a custom Miu Miu saree. Vishal Jethwa expressed his excitement about the TIFF premiere, stating that heading to Toronto with "Homebound" felt like a dream come true. He admitted to feeling anxious during the Cannes screening but said his heart was racing with excitement this time.

The film received a nine-minute standing ovation at Cannes, leaving the cast and makers emotional. The audience's appreciation was a testament to the film's powerful storytelling. Martin Scorsese, who is involved with "Homebound" as a producer, praised Neeraj Ghaywan's beautifully crafted film and its meaningful contribution to Indian cinema.

"Homebound" is adapted from a New York Times article by Basharat Peer from 2020 and produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra.