Following its world premiere at the Cannes International Film Festival earlier this year, Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound had a widely celebrated festival run globally. The film, which became India’s official selection at the Oscars, has now been shortlisted for the 98th Academy Awards in the International Feature Film category, placing it among 15 films still in contention worldwide.
Last month, Gurinder Chadha hosted a special screening of the film in London as part of its international promotional tour. Joining her and Neeraj were Karan Johar, Ishaan Khatter, and Vishal Jethwa. With the film achieving multiple milestones, Chadha expressed her best wishes, hoping Homebound would bring home the Oscar and make India proud.
Speaking exclusively to News18, Gurinder said, “I’ve known Karan for a very long time. He called me and asked me if I would want to host the screening of Homebound in London. I told him, ‘Of course, yaar! No problem.’ It was a no brainer.”
Sharing her thoughts on Neeraj’s second feature, she added, “I really enjoyed it. It was wonderful to see the film with the British audience. What I thought was remarkable about Homebound was how it reminded us all of how we were connected at the time when the coronavirus had started spreading and affecting us. That’s the universal quality of the film. I loved that and I loved the way the story unfolded. It was an absolute pleasure and honour to talk to Neeraj, Ishaan, Vishal, and Karan."
Gurinder also lauded Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions for backing a film like Homebound, noting that it set a new precedent for mainstream producers supporting content-driven cinema. At the same time, she jokingly wondered if his sensibilities ever interfered with Neeraj’s vision. “I must say that I had a few laughs with Karan as well during the Q&A. He was very gracious and funny. I asked Neeraj that with Karan as the producer, was there no point where there was pressure to move away from the sad storyline and bring in the title theme music of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai!" she recalled with a laugh. “Neeraj said to me that Karan never asked for that. I said, what a shame! We had some good laughs. Karan also hosted the Q&A at the premiere screening of my film, Christmas Karma. I was scared that he would rib me something terrible!"
For context, Gurinder’s friendship with Karan spans more than two decades, starting at Cannes in 2001 when he and his father, the late Yash Johar, attended the festival. Gurinder recalls, “Karan and I have that relationship. He’s Punjabi like me. Even with all his fancy-schmancy ways, Karan toh mera Punjabi pra hai! I knew his father too. The first time I met him and Yash ji was when they watched Bend It Like Beckham in Cannes in 2001. When they came out, they were smiling. Patting me on my back, Yash ji told me, ‘Shabaash!’ It was the Punjabi connection that they loved."
With its festival success, Oscar shortlisting, and backing from a major production house, Homebound has firmly established itself as a film to watch. Gurinder Chadha’s London screening, along with the camaraderie between the cast and crew, highlighted not just the film’s universal appeal but also the growing global recognition of Indian cinema.
BOLLYWOOD NEWS - LIVE UPDATES
Catch us for latest Bollywood News, New Bollywood Movies update, Box office collection, New Movies Release , Bollywood News Hindi, Entertainment News, Bollywood Live News Today & Upcoming Movies 2026 and stay updated with latest hindi movies only on Bollywood Hungama.