Mumbai: Homebound, starring Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vishal Jethwa, has been officially selected for the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2025, where it will be showcased in the Gala Presentations category.
Sharing the news on Instagram, producer Karan Johar wrote,
“#Homebound has been officially selected for the Toronto International Film Festival 2025 (@tiff_net) in the Gala Presentations category. Extremely thrilled and elated to be a part of this prestigious festival – another proud moment for us at Dharma.”
The film recently received a 9-minute standing ovation following its screening at the Cannes Film Festival 2025.
According to Variety, Homebound tells the story of two childhood friends from a small village in North India who aspire to become police officers—chasing a dream that promises them long-denied dignity. However, as they move closer to their goal, their friendship begins to strain under the weight of rising desperation.
Director Neeraj Ghaywan described the film as “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,” he said. “I hope the film encourages us to look closer—with empathy—and recognize what we’ve been conditioned to overlook.”
Renowned filmmaker Martin Scorsese serves as the film’s executive producer.
In a statement shared by the film’s team, Scorsese praised Homebound, saying:
“I saw Neeraj’s first film Masaan in 2015 and loved it. When Melita Toscan du Plantier sent me the script of his second film, I was intrigued. The story and cultural depth spoke to me, and I wanted to be a part of it. Neeraj has crafted a beautiful film that’s a meaningful contribution to Indian cinema. I’m pleased it was part of Un Certain Regard at Cannes this year.”
