I had been wanting to watch the movie Homebound but it was Afshan Shaikh’s recent review that finally nudged me into watching it.
The film explores the immense human suffering caused by the sudden COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, which was announced overnight by the Prime Minister.
(For a context, on 24 March 2020, in an 8 pm address to the nation, Narendra Modi announced a complete 21-day nationwide lockdown starting from midnight. All transport, except for essential services, ground to a halt, causing untold hardship for millions, especially migrant labourers who faced an agonizing struggle to return to their homes.)
Homebound, while charting the lives of two friends, Shoaib (a Muslim) and Chandan (a Dalit), also brings to the fore the deep-seated discrimination people face based on their religion and caste.
Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan (of Masaan fame), the film is based on a powerful Op-ed by Basharat Peer titled "Taking Amrit Home," published in The New York Times.
Ishaan Khatter as Shoaib and Vishal Jethwa as Chandan have acted so well portraying the strong bond between them which is the soul of the film.
Janhvi Kapoor also makes brief appearances as Sudha, a classmate of Chandan, representing a different aspect of the struggle for dignity.
Mind you, this is not an easy movie to watch. It is particularly difficult during the final moments which captures that time when so many had to walk hundreds of miles because the world had simply stopped.
Homebound was India’s official entry to the 98th Academy Awards (Oscars 2026) and has successfully made it to the shortlist of the final 15 movies in the Best International Feature Film category. It has also already picked up several awards at various international film festivals.
The movie was released in cinemas in September and is now available on Netflix in both Hindi and English.
Mind you, this is not an easy movie to watch. It is particularly difficult during the final moments which captures that time when so many had to walk hundreds of miles because the world had simply stopped.
Homebound was India’s official entry to the 98th Academy Awards (Oscars 2026) and has successfully made it to the shortlist of the final 15 movies in the Best International Feature Film category. It has also already picked up several awards at various international film festivals.
The movie was released in cinemas in September and is now available on Netflix in both Hindi and English.
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteSounds intriguing - I shall watch out to see if it becomes available where I watch. (I don't Netflix.)
Have a safe and joyful time tonight and may 2026 bring many retirement adventures your way! YAM xx
Hi Yamini - Probably, it must be on OTT platforms other than Netflix as well. Do check it out.
DeleteThank you for your NY greetings. Wish you a peaceful, healthy 2026!
I had no idea how horribly some folks suffered. :( I should watch this, however difficult the subject. Best wishes, my dear.
ReplyDeleteHi Darla - There is an English version too. So, do watch it.
DeleteSounds like an interesting film. It also sounds like something that will make the nominations for an Oscar.
ReplyDeleteIt's been made very well. So, hopefully it will get the award too. Fingers crossed!
DeleteHeard of this but not seen it
ReplyDeleteSince it was screened at many international film festivals, it did get some global coverage.
DeleteI don't do net-flex
ReplyDeleteI do understand. A lot of people are out of the streaming networks.
DeleteDon't have Netflix. Am not much of a movie goer but glad to read that there are people who are portraying reality!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Best wishes for a super 2026!
Yes, that's true!
DeleteI remember reading about the long walks labourers had to endure to get home. They really had no other option once they became unemployed.
ReplyDeleteYes, Under the mistaken belief that everything will be okay in 21 days, a three-week lockdown was declared overnight. Even then, the move was criticised, with suggestions that the government should have given at least two days for people who work outstation to get back to their homes.
DeleteTengo Netflix, asi que veré si tengo tiempo de verla este mes, tengo muchas cosas para ver pendientes ahora mismo, gracias por tu post y reseña.
ReplyDeleteFeliz 2026!
Hi Beatriz -- Thank you for dropping by my blog, and for your comments. I can understand - there are lots of good movies on Netflix. You can add this to 'My List", so you won't forget it.
DeleteThank you for your NY wishes. Wish you too a Happy 2026!
I wasn't aware of this movie. Let me see if I can get to watch it.
ReplyDeleteSure, Tomi.
DeleteWe have lived it, so we know it to some extent. I am thinking, how will the future generation remember what happened and what we suffered? I have read about pandemics. When the pandemic was declared, I was in college, and my other friends were like, "Nothing will happen," and I was only shouting that what if everything is stopped. I was the first one to move out of college. After some time this lockdown happened, and then my faculties and all said that we all are stuck in college. Those days were terrible.
ReplyDelete