After garnering acclaim on the global festival circuit, Neeraj Ghaywan’s much-anticipated drama Homebound is all set for its theatrical release. On September 13, 2025, producer Karan Johar announced on social media that the film will premiere in cinemas worldwide on September 26, 2025. Sharing the exciting news, Johar wrote, “No feeling is final. #Homebound is releasing in cinemas on 26th September, worldwide.” The film will later be available for streaming on Netflix.
Homebound had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025, where it was showcased in the prestigious Un Certain Regard section. The film then traveled to the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), earning a standing ovation during its North American premiere earlier this month.Written and directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, Homebound is produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra under the banner of Dharma Productions.
Adapted from a 2020 New York Times article by Basharat Peer, the film stars Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter, and Vishal Jethwa. It tells the story of two childhood friends grappling with life’s pressures as they prepare for the national police exam. Adding a prestigious dimension to the film, Hollywood legend Martin Scorsese joined as an executive producer earlier this year.
In April, Johar shared Scorsese’s handwritten note praising Ghaywan’s vision, where the filmmaker wrote, “I have watched Neeraj’s first film Masaan in 2015 and I loved it… Neeraj has created a beautifully made film that’s a valuable addition to Indian Cinema.”Ghaywan expressed deep gratitude for Scorsese’s mentorship during the film’s development, screenplay revisions, and editing process.
Reflecting on the experience, he said, “It is an honour beyond words… Mr. Scorsese mentored us through the screenplay and multiple rounds of editing. He listened with care, understood the cultural context, and offered thoughtful, incisive notes each time.”
