Neeraj Ghaywan On ‘Homebound’: Consciously Cast Stars, But Story Is King

MUMBAI- Bollywood director and producer Karan Johar’s ‘Homebound’ has been announced as India’s official entry for the Oscars 2026.

The movie stars young Bollywood stars Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter, and Vishal Jethwa. In a press conference held by the makers on September 22, director Neeraj Ghaywan spoke about casting them in ‘Homebound’ being a conscious decision.

“We had a story that we knew was powerful. If our goal was only to take the film to festivals like Cannes or TIFF, we were confident it would receive applause. But we also understood that if we wanted the movie to truly reach the audience and connect with people, we needed the support of stars like Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter, and Vishal Jethwa.” He further added, “That said, I want to emphasize that no matter what, the story will always remain the real king of any film.”

Ever since the news was announced, fans and Bollywood stars took to their social media accounts to congratulate the entire ‘Homebound’ team.

‘Homebound,’ premiered at the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes 2025, and received a nine-minute-long standing ovation. It also played at the Toronto International Film Festival, receiving accolades over there too. (IANS)