Reel Talk: Homebound

About the event

Popcorn? Check. Snacks? Absolutely. Feelings? Probably.

"Reel Talk: Homebound" is a deeply moving evening built around a screening of Homebound, Neeraj Ghaywan's critically acclaimed film that has drawn global attention — including a standing ovation at Cannes, selection as India's Oscar submission, and executive production by Martin Scorsese.

This is presented not just as a movie screening, but as an invitation to sit with a story of friendship, dignity, and the fragile, stubborn pursuit of hope in a system stacked against the people at its centre.

The film

Homebound follows Shoaib (Ishaan Khatter) and Chandan (Vishal Jethwa), two childhood friends from a North Indian village who dream of becoming police officers. For them, a uniform represents more than a job — it holds the promise of recognition, respect, and a place in a society that has long denied both.

One is Muslim, one is Dalit, and both live with the burden of invisible barriers that shape who gets dignity and who doesn't.

Set against the backdrop of the 2020 pandemic, the film explores:

• friendship as a form of survival
• dreams delayed and tested by structural inequality
• caste discrimination and religious prejudice
• the quiet resilience required to keep going when everything feels stacked against you

What to expect

Attendees are invited to come with an open heart — and tissues. The event promises an emotionally resonant experience, incredible performances, and the chance to witness a story that stays with you long after the screening ends.

A quoted line from the event sums up the tone beautifully:

"One of the most honest and important Indian films in recent years."

Good to know

• In-person screening
• Popcorn and snacks are part of the vibe
• The film carries heavy but compassionate themes

Content note

This film deals with themes of caste discrimination, religious prejudice, and pandemic hardship. It is described as emotionally heavy, but profoundly compassionate.