Neeraj Ghaywan a flawless and socially aware director makes a comeback with his new movie Homebound, a drama that rings on the chord of intimacy with the harsh reality. The starcast features Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, Janhvi Kapoor, and Shalini Vats in the lead. Adapted from Basharat Peer's The New York Times article "Taking Amrit Home," the film chronicles the conflicts of two young men attempting to make do with rural hardships, institutional neglect, and personal aspirations.

Storyline

The story is about Chandan Kumar (Vishal Jethwa) and Shoaib Ali (Ishaan Khatter), who are two friends from a small town in North India with a desire to be a police officer. Chandan gets through the test and is awaiting joining while Shoaib is failed and ends up losing touch with his friend. Both end up in a Surat cotton mill job, with the lockdown coming suddenly and leaving them trapped. Their decision to head back home turns into a tragedy when Chandan is mistakenly accused of having COVID, forcing them to walk miles. What starts as a tale of hopes turns into a survival challenge, testing their friendship and determination beyond what they could have envisioned.

Positive Points

The strongest aspect of the film is Ghaywan's hold-back approach. He avoids melodrama, and emotions bleed out of mundane situations—waiting in a crowded office, experiencing social discrimination, or coping with stoic disappointments. The dialogue is full of understated remarks on caste and religion, grounding the story in reality. Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa deliver emotionally charged performances, playing to each other's energies to. Janhvi Kapoor, in an ancillary role, adds depth and warmth, while Shalini Vats adds grunge. The film's pacing and visual language engage the viewer on the level of the daily struggle and pain of the characters, and their pain and perseverance make them very identifiable.

Also Read: Thamma Trailer Review: Ayushmann And Rashmika Struggling To Balance Love, Laughter

Negative Points

The slow pace occasionally may exhaust the audience's patience that seeks something more dramatic. A few of the subplots, like Janhvi Kapoor's, appear underdeveloped and could have been executed in detail to have more impact.

Overall: Homebound is no movie of high drama but of harsh truths of the society. It film depicts friendship, strength, and the weight of society's barriers with truth and honesty. A basic human drama, it resonates long after the end credits, leaving one weeping and hopeful.