Homebound out on OTT: Here's where you can stream Neeraj Ghaywan's Oscar entry film starring Ishaan Khatter & Vishal Jethwa
Critically acclaimed drama Homebound, Ghaywan's Oscar-contending film about two friends pursuing police careers amidst the 2020 lockdown, is now streaming on Netflix as of November 21, 2025.
Last Updated: 09.11 AM, Nov 21, 2025
The highly acclaimed new feature film Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, is now streaming on Netflix all around the globe. The much-anticipated drama, which will represent India at the 98th Academy Awards as Best International Feature Film, opened to rave reviews around the world after its theatrical run.
Plot and character focus on societal challenges
Produced by Dharma Productions, the film depicts the lives of Mohammed Shoaib Ali (Ishaan Khatter) and Chandan Kumar (Vishal Jethwa), two friends from a small North Indian hamlet, as they navigate adulthood. Shoaib, a young Muslim, and Chandan, a Dalit, are both cast out from society due to their ethnicities and religions, but they have one desperate goal in common: to pass the national police exam. For them, being a police officer is about more than just making a living; it's about finally breaking through to the respect and dignity that mainstream culture has long ignored.
However, as they confront immense pressure and socioeconomic challenges to achieve their shared goal, they begin to test their fundamental friendship. Sudha Bharti's (Janhvi Kapoor) arrival and the terrible, unexpected national lockdown in March 2020 further complicate their journey. The latter sends millions of migrant workers on a perilous and frequently disastrous quest to get back home.
Inspiration from real-life migrant crisis
Ghaywan, returning to feature filmmaking a decade after his celebrated debut Masaan (2015), based his screenplay on a 2020 New York Times essay by journalist Basharat Peer, which chronicled the lives and plight of migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Homebound had a major influence on the world of international music festivals. Reportedly receiving a nine-minute standing ovation, it had its global premiere on May 21 in the Un Certain Regard section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Both the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival's Gala Presentation and the ensuing Melbourne International Film Festival's Closing Night both featured the film.
Martin Scorsese's executive producer's role
The role of renowned director Martin Scorsese, who was an executive producer, garnered a lot of interest for the project. During the screenplay writing and editing phase, the veteran filmmaker also watched many edits of the film and provided feedback to Ghaywan.
Critics were impressed by Ghaywan's compassionate direction, the sharp script and editing, and the dramatic turns delivered by the main actors when the film premiered in theatres on September 26, 2025. Khatter and Jethwa's career-defining performances, which ably embodied the characters' sensitivity and intricate emotional topography, were particularly noteworthy. The audience also loved Kapoor's sincere performance as Sudha Bharti.
OTT launch and broader audience impact
The film's OTT launch provides a significant chance for a wider audience to connect with the critically acclaimed film's subtle exploration of societal fault lines in India, particularly its criticism of religious prejudice and caste.
An emotionally and intellectually engaging exploration of ambition, camaraderie, and perseverance in the face of structural obstacles, Homebound is currently streaming on Netflix worldwide.
FAQs:
Q: Who directed the film Homebound?
A: The film Homebound was directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, who is known for his celebrated 2015 debut feature, Masaan.
Q: Who are the main actors in the Homebound movie?
A: The main cast members of Homebound are Ishaan Khatter as Mohammed Shoaib Ali, Vishal Jethwa as Chandan Kumar, and Janhvi Kapoor as Sudha Bharti.
Q: Was Martin Scorsese involved in the film Homebound?
A: Yes, acclaimed American filmmaker Martin Scorsese served as an executive producer on Homebound. He also provided feedback to Neeraj Ghaywan during the screenplay writing and editing phases of the production.