Homebound is a quietly devastating drama that follows Shoaib, a Muslim, and Chandan, a Dalit, whose childhood bond is tested by systemic injustice and the shock of the COVID-19 lockdown. Their shared dream of becoming police constables is repeatedly crushed by an exam system tilted against them, pushing them into precarious migrant work. When the lockdown strands them far from home, their journey back becomes a grueling odyssey that exposes the casual cruelty of caste, religion, and class hierarchies.
The film’s greatest strength lies in its performances. Ishaan Khatter captures Shoaib’s slide from defiant hope to gnawing guilt, while Vishal Jethwa gives Chandan a quiet resilience that makes his suffering almost unbearable to watch. Their chemistry makes the political deeply personal. Neeraj Ghaywan’s direction is restrained and unsentimental, letting small humiliations and gestures of care accumulate into a powerful emotional punch. The muted cinematography and minimal score match the film’s unvarnished realism.
If there is a flaw, it is a slightly sagging middle stretch and emotional bleakness that may deter repeat viewings. But as an honest, piercing portrait of friendship and inequality in modern India, Homebound is essential, unforgettable cinema.
Rating: Good Movie
Watch this movie on Netflix.
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