Web Series Name : Homebound
Streaming Date : Nov 21, 2025
Streaming Platform : Netflix
123telugu.com Rating : 3.25/5
Starring : Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, Janhvi Kapoor, and others
Director : Neeraj Ghaywan
Producers : Karan Johar, Apoorva Mehta, Somen Mishra, and Adar Poonawalla
Music Director : Naren Chandavarkar and Benedict Taylor
Cinematographer : Pratik Shah
Editor : Nitin Baid
Related Links : Trailer
Homebound, produced by Karan Johar, is India’s official entry for the 98th Oscar Awards for ‘Best International Feature Film.’ The movie starring Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa has recently arrived on Netflix after its theatrical run. Let’s see how the film is.
Story:
The film tells the tale of two friends, Mohd. Shoaib Ali (Ishaan Khatter) and Chandan Kumar (Vishal Jethwa) who come from underprivileged backgrounds and are denied opportunities because of their caste and religion. They believe that landing a government job (as a police constable) will transform their lives and improve their economic situation, but little do they know that the path they take is full of thorns and challenges.
Plus Points:
Homebound is based on the article ‘Taking Amrit Home’ penned by Basharat Peer, which was published in The New York Times. The movie explores the discrimination still present in the country, rooted in various factors like caste, class, and religion. The treatment and characterizations are so realistic, gut-wrenching, and thought-provoking that the film is sure to stay in our heads for a long time.
Homebound is easily one of the best Hindi movies to have come out this year, and Karan Johar deserves high praise for backing this subject without inserting any unnecessary elements and creating something soul-stirring.
If the religious and caste oppression scenes are disturbing, the final act set against the COVID backdrop, showing the plight of migrant workers, will leave us teary-eyed and heavy-hearted. Also, the film makes us realize how privileged and blessed we are for overcoming and moving past the devastating phase of the pandemic.
Apart from the caste and communal prejudice and other social issues that the film addresses, there is a poignant friendship track that is heartwarming to watch. Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa deliver outstanding performances that are highly impactful, and the conflict point between the duo is superbly written. Since this aspect is handled well, the ending is hard-hitting.
The movie has a chance of strongly resonating with those who live away from their families to make a living, powerfully evoking the feeling of longing for home.
Minus Points:
Janhvi Kapoor did a fine job, but the movie gives the impression that her role should have been given more prominence and screentime. The actress makes her presence felt, but those who expect more depth from her character will be slightly disappointed.
For those seeking entertaining and light-hearted content, Homebound will not be the ideal choice, as the movie runs on a serious note throughout, addressing important social issues.
Technical Aspects:
The background score by Naren Chandavarkar and Benedict Taylor is too good, capturing the film’s mood. Pratik Shah’s cinematography is remarkable. The scene depicting migrant workers walking back home across a bridge is superbly shot. The pacing is intentionally kept slow to allow us to feel the pain and hardships endured by the lead actors.
Director Neeraj Ghaywan did a solid job of portraying the stark realities and issues faced by the oppressed, even in this day and age, in some parts of the country. The filmmaker ensures the characters are quite relatable and makes us root for them. The events depicted in the film feel so natural and heart-wrenching.
Verdict:
On the whole, Homebound is a haunting tale of two friends who fight their way to rise above the barriers of caste and communal discrimination in their quest for respect and identity. The social commentary is very effective, and it is told beautifully through the friendship theme. Excellent performances from Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa make the experience deeply moving. The best part of the film is its depiction of the struggles faced by migrant workers during COVID. The pacing is slow at times, and the film might not appeal to those seeking pure entertainment. If you are someone who loves realistic and hard-hitting tales, this one is not to be missed. Recommended.
123telugu.com Rating: 3.25/5
Reviewed by 123telugu Team