India's Oscar Hopeful 'Homebound' Sheds Light on Marginalized Communities
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LONDON - Indian director Neeraj Ghaywan, known for his critically acclaimed drama "Masaan", returns with a powerful second film that sheds light on the struggles of India's marginalized communities. Based on true events, "Homebound" tells the poignant story of two childhood friends, Shoaib and Chandan, from a northern Indian village who dream of becoming police officers to improve their socio-economic status. However, their journey is fraught with challenges and social stigma, as they face intense competition for just 3,500 available positions out of 2.5 million applicants. Inspired by Basharat Peer's 2020 New York Times article, the film also tackles the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on India's migrant population. Director Ghaywan, who drew from his own experiences growing up as a Dalit, aimed to give a voice to those who often go unseen. "I wanted to speak about the issues that contemporary India tends to ignore," Ghaywan said. The film's cast, including Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa, immersed themselves in the culture of northern India's Barabanki, where they were warmly welcomed by locals. "Homebound" is a testament to the resilience of millions of people like Shoaib and Chandan, who face systemic discrimination and marginalization. The film has been selected as India's contender for the 98th Academy Awards and is currently streaming on Netflix, executive produced by Martin Scorsese.
