New York, NY – In a remarkable celebration of Indian cinema on the global stage, Hollywood icon Martin Scorsese hosted a special screening of "Homebound" in New York City. The event, held on Saturday night, November 8, 2025, brought together the film's director, Neeraj Ghaywan, and lead actors Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa, marking a significant moment for the acclaimed Hindi-language drama.
"Homebound," which has been selected as India's official entry for the 97th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category, tells the story of two childhood friends navigating life and uncertainty during the COVID-19 lockdown. Inspired by Basharat Peer's 2020 New York Times article, "Taking Amrit Home" (also titled A Friendship, a Pandemic and a Death Beside the Highway), the film explores themes of friendship, aspiration, and the challenges of social divides.
Scorsese, who served as the executive producer for "Homebound", engaged in a Q&A session with director Neeraj Ghaywan after the screening. Ghaywan described the evening as the "highest point" of his career in cinema. He shared a touching anecdote about Scorsese's generosity, recounting how the legendary director calmed his nerves before the event by sharing a humorous story about being mistaken for the Hillside Strangler.
The screening was attended by a host of notable figures, including filmmaker Mira Nair, further highlighting the film's growing international recognition. Dharma Productions, the studio behind "Homebound," shared glimpses from the event on social media, calling it "a night to remember" as the cast and crew celebrated the film's journey surrounded by cinematic greats.
"Homebound" premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025, where it reportedly received a nine-minute standing ovation. It was also featured at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film received critical acclaim for Ghaywan's direction, the writing, performances, and its handling of social commentary.
Lead actors Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa, who portray best friends Shoaib and Chandan in the film, expressed their admiration for Scorsese and their excitement about the film's Oscar campaign. Khatter called Scorsese's involvement a "dream-come-true" moment. The film also stars Janhvi Kapoor in a pivotal role.
"Homebound" was released theatrically in India on September 26, 2025. The film's journey from a New York Times article to the Cannes Film Festival and now as India's official entry for the Oscars is a testament to the power of storytelling and the importance of cross-cultural collaboration in cinema.
