Homebound release date, what to expect, trailer breakdown, and more about Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor and Vishal Jethwa's movie

Karan Johar's Homebound is making its theatrical release this week on September 26. Before that, here's everything you need to know about the Hindi drama movie that made its world premiere at Cannes.

Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, Vishal Jethwa

Karan Johar, who has been the trendsetter of Bollywood's dreamy romantic tales, has been exploring other offbeat stories in recent years. For instance, Lakshya Lalwani's Kill was a surprise offering from the 53-year-old filmmaker last year. Even in 2025, he brought Prithviraj Sukumaran and Kajol together in Sarzameen. Now, Johar is gearing up for the grand release of another remarkable film, Homebound, which has already been screened at prestigious film festivals globally.

Homebound release date and where to watch

Starring Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor and Vishal Jethwa in the lead roles, Homebound is releasing in cinemas on September 26, 2025. The Neeraj Gheywan directorial made its world premiere at the 78th Cannes Film Festival and was also screened at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The Hindi drama movie has also been chosen as India's official entry for the 98th Academy Awards (Oscars) for 2026.

Meanwhile, Homebound will land on Netflix after its typical eight-week theatrical run from September 26. The streamer’s name is already mentioned in the motion poster of the Hindi drama movie. However, the exact release date is yet to be announced.

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Homebound trailer breakdown and what to expect

The 2-minute-53-second video introduces three childhood friends who belong to a small town in North India. The film seeks to explore their friendship and depict their struggles in this patriarchal society, as they fight to fulfil their dreams and deal with heartbreaks.

The trailer highlights how society treats Dalits when Vishal Jethwa's character Chandan Kumar asks for the results of a government exam to an official who makes him instantly feel low by asking for his full name. Meanwhile, Ishaan's character Mohammed Shoiab Ali, who works as a peon, is put down by his superiors who ask him not to touch their bottles.

Although these scenarios leave Chandan and Mohammad disheartened, their shared dream of becoming police officers keeps them motivated. The portrayal of Dalits’ plight in Homebound does remind viewers of Vicky Kaushal's character from Masaan. On the other hand, Janhvi Kapoor's character Sudha Bharti, who is also Chandan’s love interest, too has high aspirations in life.

FAQs:

Q: Did Homebound get nominated for the Oscars 2026?

A: Homebound has recently been chosen as India's official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2026 Oscars.

Q: Who stars in Homebound?

A: Produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra, and directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, Homebound stars Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vishal Jethwa.

Q: Is Homebound releasing in theaters?

A: Yes. Homebound will hit theaters on September 26, 2025, worldwide.

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