Shah Rukh Khan has praised Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound. The film featuring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor, is India’s official entry for the Oscars this year and is backed by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions.
Calling the film “gentle, honest and soulful,” SRK wrote on X, “Lots of love and big hugs to the phenomenal team for creating something so human and engaging. You have won hearts world over by making something truly special!”
The film’s director, Neeraj, thanked Shah Rukh for his kind words, “Thank you, @iamsrk ! This means the world to me! अपने ही पानी में पिघल जाना बर्फ का मुक़द्दर होता है (To dissolve in its own water is the ice’s destiny).”
Homebound has been earning praise all around. Earlier director Mari Selvaraj and Bison (2025) actor Pasupathy had also lauded the film.
Inspired from Basharat Peer’s 2020 New York Times article ‘Taking Amrit Home’, Homebound tells the story of two youngsters (Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa) whose friendship faces a major threat as only one of them lands a police job. The film explores themes of caste- and religion-based discrimination and the harsh realities of the working class in and around the Covid-19 period.
The film released in theatres in September. It is currently streaming on Netflix.