New York, NY – Celebrated filmmaker Karan Johar has expressed immense gratitude and elation following a special New York City screening of "Homebound," hosted by none other than the legendary Martin Scorsese. Johar, whose Dharma Productions backed the film, shared his heartfelt reaction on Instagram, emphasizing the significance of Scorsese's support.
"Taking our story of #Homebound across the continents and seas has been the most surreal journey…and this is another chapter of it!" Johar wrote. "Our NYC screening hosted by our executive producer @martinscorsese_ was a night filled with friends and more supporting with their full hear. Thank you!!! This means everything to us, showing up and giving us your love. I am bummed to be missing out but. I feel absolutely whole knowing that our film is getting everything it needs".
"Homebound," directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, has been gaining international recognition. The film premiered at Cannes and was also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM). It has been selected as India's official entry for the 2026 Oscars in the Best International Feature Film category. The film is inspired by a 2020 New York Times article by Basharat Peer, and it explores the bond between two friends during the lockdown. The film stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor.
The NYC screening was a star-studded affair, attended by Ghaywan and the film's lead actors, Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa. Following the screening, Scorsese and Ghaywan engaged in a Q&A session with the audience. Ghaywan later shared his experience on X (formerly Twitter), describing the moment as the "highest point" in his career. "Sitting across from him is the highest point in my career in cinema," Ghaywan wrote. "Mr. Martin Scorsese, the EP on #Homebound hosted a screening and did a QnA with me in NYC!". Filmmaker Mira Nair and South actor Siddharth were also in attendance, showing their support for the film and its Oscar campaign.
Ghaywan also shared a personal anecdote about Scorsese's warmth and generosity. "Mr. Scorsese saw I was nervous and narrated a funny anecdote about being mistaken for the Hillside Strangler just to calm me down," Ghaywan revealed. "That's the generous, selfless master that he is".
Johar has previously spoken about his admiration for Martin Scorsese, recalling a meeting with the legendary director in Shah Rukh Khan's suite in Berlin. "My first and only meeting with him was in Shah Rukh Khan's suite in Berlin," Johar shared. "Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio walked in, and my knees started rattling a little bit". Johar remembers thinking, "Will there ever come a day when I have a conversation with him about cinema?".
"Homebound" tells the story of two childhood friends from a small North Indian village who aspire to secure police jobs, believing it will bring them the dignity they have long been denied. As they get closer to their goal, their mounting desperation threatens to destroy their bond.
Dharma Productions shared glimpses from the New York event, calling it "a night to remember". The studio celebrated the film's journey and the opportunity for the cast and crew to be surrounded by cinematic greats.
