Homebound on OTT: Here's how much Neeraj Ghaywan's hard-hitting drama starring Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa earned at the box office

After a poor theatrical run in India, the critically acclaimed thriller Homebound, Neeraj Ghaywan's second feature film after Masaan (2015), will make the jump to Netflix on November 21, 2025. Based on estimates, the film earned around ₹3 crore at the domestic box office and close to ₹2.65 crore (about $6,458) internationally, despite receiving high marks from critics and prestigious international recognition. It is also chosen as India's official entry for the 98th Academy Awards.

Homebound plot summary

The film follows two boyhood friends from a small North Indian village as they strive to become police officers, a career path they think will grant them the respect and dignity they deserve. Karan Johar's home banner, Dharma Productions, produced the film, which stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor. Two migrant workers ensnared in the COVID-19 lockdown were the subject of an article by journalist Basharat Peer in the 2020 New York Times, which served as inspiration for the story.

Homebound premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival's Un Certain Regard section to critical praise and a nine-minute standing ovation; the film was released theatrically on September 26, 2025. On the other hand, the domestic box office results depict commercial struggles.

ALSO READ: Homebound OTT release date: Here's when and where you can stream India's Oscar-entry by Neeraj Ghaywan, featuring Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa

Detailed box office collection

Opening on a limited number of screens (about 200-225 screens), the film made a respectable ₹30 lakh on Friday, September 26, 2025. Although there was a slight uptick over the first weekend, with collections of approximately ₹55 lakh on Saturday and Sunday, there was a precipitous decline in the following weekdays. The film's claimed production and marketing expenditure of about ₹25 crore is far lower than the final domestic total of ₹3 crore or ₹5 crore, depending on who you ask. Dharma Productions is known for its ambitious feature films.

The film's critical acclaim and international prominence are in stark contrast to the subdued reception it received at the box office. Many people were impressed with Ghaywan's direction, the social satire and caste themes, and Khatter and Jethwa's acting. Khatter recently addressed the film's performance at the box office, saying that he doesn't consider it a failure and praising the film's artistic value regardless of the disappointing figures.

Analysis of underperformance

Experts believe that the film's limited release and the complexity of its slow-paced, socially conscious drama contribute to its disappointing box office performance. These kinds of films have a harder time breaking into the mainstream than commercially produced fare. Despite high expectations, the film's limited run was not successful in drawing in enough audiences.

With its upcoming Netflix release, Homebound will finally be able to reach the global streaming audience it deserves, allowing its critical acclaim and thematic complexity to be appreciated.

FAQs:

Q: Who are the main actors in the film Homebound?

A: The main actors in the film Homebound are Ishaan Khatter as Mohammed Shoaib Ali, Vishal Jethwa as Chandan Kumar, and Janhvi Kapoor as Sudha Bharti.

Q: When did Homebound release in theatres?

A: Homebound was released theatrically on September 26, 2025.

Q: When is Homebound releasing on Netflix?

A: Homebound is scheduled to release on the Netflix streaming platform on November 21, 2025.