Martin Scorsese has expressed his admiration for Neeraj Ghaywan’s film, "Homebound," stating that he has watched it "many times" and describing it as "deeply human". Scorsese's praise came during a special screening and Q&A session in New York, where he was present as the executive producer of the film.

"Homebound," directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, has garnered significant attention as India's official entry for Best International Feature at the 97th Academy Awards. The film revolves around two childhood friends from a small North Indian village who are in pursuit of a police job that promises them the dignity that they have been long denied. The film is inspired by a 2020 New York Times article by Basharat Peer about two friends navigating life during lockdown. The movie is based on the real story of two young migrant workers who were forced to walk hundreds of kilometers during India's 2020 lockdown.

Scorsese's involvement with "Homebound" extends beyond mere endorsement; he has been actively involved in the project for three years, working with Ghaywan from the script stage through editing. Ghaywan even revealed that the production team used the code word "elder brother" for Scorsese to keep his involvement a secret. Scorsese said he has “been living with it for about three years” even while immersed in Killers of the Flower Moon.

During the Q&A session, Scorsese highlighted the film's emotional clarity and praised Ghaywan's choice to focus on the humanity of the characters rather than turning the narrative into a political statement. He lauded the performances of the cast and the immersive realism that Ghaywan brought to the film. Scorsese also commended Ghaywan for the film's tight pacing.

Ghaywan shared that he approached the story by confronting his own history. Growing up in a Dalit household, he spent decades "masquerading as an upper-caste member," constantly fearful of being "found out". He explained how caste, identity, and the weight carried by a surname shaped his life and form the core of "Homebound".

Ghaywan expressed his gratitude towards Scorsese, calling the experience of sitting across from him "the highest point" in his career in cinema and "the biggest reward" for him. He also humorously recounted an anecdote about Scorsese narrating a funny story about being mistaken by the cops to be the hillside strangler when Ghaywan was nervous about doing the Q&A session with the master.

"Homebound" features Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor. Ghaywan described taking actors Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa to villages, making them live in character, and assigning each scene its own musical playlist.

Scorsese's support for "Homebound" underscores the film's universal themes and its potential to resonate with audiences worldwide. He expressed his desire for American audiences to see the film, emphasizing that it is based on a real story.