What makes ‘Homebound’ so resonant?

A nine-minute-long standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival does not come easily. So what makes Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound so powerful and poignant?

William Shakespeare famously wrote “What’s in a name?” Director Ghaywan jokingly reckons that if he had visited India, he would have found out. Homebound is a damning story of resilience and resistance against the discrimination that continues to plague India, tackling themes such as Islamophobia and casteism. It also explores struggles of internal migrants as they journeyed home during the coronavirus pandemic.

The film is spurred on by its exceptional acting performances. Ishaan Khatter excels, arguably surpassing previous strong performances with his best till date.  He demonstrates his fantastic range, particularly shining with his monologue during the climax. Vishal Jethwa similarly wows, his eyes beautifully conveying Chandan’s simultaneous helplessness and strength. And while Janhvi Kapoor’s role as Sudha is small, she shows her versatility, giving a strong emotional performance that even surpasses those of Mili and Gunjan Saxena. Finally, Shalini Vatsa notably outdoes herself in the role of Chandan’s mother, especially during the climax.

Ghaywan deserves strong credit for these performances, for he insisted the actors begin preparation for the film by understanding the caste system and their own privilege

Ghaywan deserves strong credit for these performances, for he insisted the actors begin preparation for the film by understanding the caste system and their own privilege. They then embraced the lives of those they played: living in Indian villages and dressing as, and blending in with, its inhabitants. This developed empathy, which allowed for the truly superb performances seen on screen.

The film’s issues are prevalent within Indian society. Casteism is cleverly conveyed when Chandan lies about his caste and the constable moves to sit higher than him. We see the camera pan to Chandan, indicating his worthlessness and vulnerability. He and his family receive constant discrimination because of their caste throughout the film, denying them job prospects, and respect, with some viewing them as untouchable.

Martin Scorsese was so amazed by the film that he served as the film’s Executive Producer, and in a conversation with the legendary filmmaker, Ghaywan presented a fantastic analogy. He suggested that social distancing has occurred in India ‘for 2000 years’, which gives the pandemic even more weight in the film, for it poses as a metaphor for India’s other disease.  The effect of the caste system is that by birth Indians are separated by a virus that prohibits the interaction of communities with others. It is a virus that determines fundamental aspects of society, such as school admission, relationships, job prospects, and even whether you are forced to sit on the floor or not.  Bollywood has recently produced highly powerful films that tackle casteism, such as Vedaa and Dhadak 2, and Homebound is yet another shout in the clamour for a vaccine that finally eradicates this virus.

Islamophobia is also a widespread issue in India raised by Homebound. While working as an intern, Shoaib is informed by a Hindu worker not to refill his bottle, only reluctantly promoted after his good performances and publicly humiliated at a work event, because of his religion. Despite this, he refuses to leave India to work in predominantly Islamic Dubai, because India is his country. Unfortunately, others do not share the same sentiment.

Many are unwilling to accept that Islamophobia is present in India. However, one needs to look no further than this year’s conflict, and at how quickly religious identities turned on each other, despite living in the same place. There has long been an idea that all Indian Muslims are Pakistanis, and this reared its head this summer and of course, as represented by the film, during any India vs. Pakistan cricket match. It is troubling that a country defined by cultural richness and diversity, appears intent on undermining its greatest strength.

By approaching these themes using a deep connection, we are invited to rebel against the system, rather than being a spectator in another’s fight

The film highlights all this importantly through the lens of friendship between a Muslim and a Dalit. By approaching these themes using a deep connection, we are invited to rebel against the system, rather than being a spectator in another’s fight.

A striking juxtaposition exists between the start of the film, with people travelling in a crowded train to sit an exam, and the end, with the vast emptiness of the pandemic, where the boys again travel, but alone. They appear to be the world’s only occupants as they make an alarming 400km journey. It reflects the film’s sentiment: it is the two of them against India and its traditions and, in the end, they cannot win.

In Homebound the boys’ quest is equally for respect as well as a job. The film’s raw portrayal of India’s discrimination is so striking because the majority of society views it as a problem of the past. Homebound reminds us that it is very much relevant, and that so many suffer as a result of backward thinking. In their respective struggles, the boys exhaust numerous routes in their quest for inclusion and dignity. Homebound makes you wonder that if one cannot receive equal opportunity in their own country, then what other options are available to them?