Earlier this Saturday, the makers of Homebound, Karan Johar's Dharma Productions, dropped an excerpt from the recent conversation between the film's executive producer, legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese, and its director Neeraj Ghaywan. In the clip from the film's screening in New York, Scorsese said that he also watched some of the film's rough cuts, which gave him access to much of the stuff that that was edited out from it. "That was also very good," said the Goodfellas filmmaker about the content trimmed from the film.
Subsequently, Scorsese asked Neeraj about how he immersed his actors in the world of Homebound. In response, Neeraj said that he provided his lead actors, Ishan Khattar and Vishal Jehtwa, with "a seminal text on caste which is called Annihilation of Caste" to help achieve that goal. The Masaan filmmaker also disclosed that he took his two lead actors to villages and ate in "modest" residences. "And I made the costume designer give them costumes early on in the research stage, so they did not have to wear these fancy clothes and glasses and all that," Neeraj revealed, as he discussed how he made his lead actors blend in with the village lifestyle.
India's official entry for best international film at the Academy Awards, Homebound tells the story of two friends aspiring to become police officers one day. The film also stars Janhvi Kapoor in an important role. It has earned rave reviews from audiences and critics alike. With a prominent personality such as Scorsese attached to the project as an executive producer and having earned plenty of appreciation, Homebound is finally expected to break India's jinx at the Oscars and bring home the coveted trophy. It remains to be seen whether or not the film will be able to achieve the same.
