Bearer of Burdens: A Review of Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound

In the heart of Neeraj Ghaywan’s touching film Homebound, an unforgettable image is drawn of a young man, Shoaib (Ishaan Khatter), who carries his ailing childhood friend, Chandan (Vishal Jethwa), on his back as they endure a treacherous journey to their home village under the coronavirus pandemic. One is Muslim, the other Dalit-both spend their lives battling against discrimination and poverty only to face further marginalization with the advent of the disease outbreak and lockdown restrictions. The sight of Shoaib persistently bearing Chandan on his back illustrates a stirring revelation of human resilience and empathy.

The film, executive produced by acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese, was inspired by an op-ed from The New York Times written by Basharat Peer titled “A Friendship, a Pandemic, and a Death Beside the Highway.” Seamlessly crafted, Ghaywan’s adaptation thrusts audiences into the harsh realities of India’s societal landscape with both urgency and discretion.

Homebound starts with Shoaib and Chandan attempting to join the police force-an endeavour fraught with challenges since it pits approximately 714 candidates against each seat. The struggle stems from their belief that faith and caste differences become irrelevant once the uniform is worn. Throughout the film, Ghaywan masterfully illustrates this cruelty inherent in social settings and calls upon us to reevaluate our conscious and unconscious roles in perpetuating such disparities.

Ghaywan, who debuted with his award-winning film Masaan in 2015, has persistently highlighted the plight of marginalized individuals in each of his works. The narratives in his film, including Juice (2017) and Geeli Pucchi (2021), are skillfully executed without being overbearing or clamorous.

The heartrending nature of Homebound is hinged on the unwavering realism brought about by exceptional acting performances and potent writing. Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa not only managed to shed their Bollywood typecast but they also excelled in conveying intricate emotions. Their performances were bolstered by Janhvi Kapoor, who played Chandan's love interest, effectively portraying authenticity and emotional depth.

Homebound is ultimately a narrative of regular individuals who summon the courage to challenge systemic cruelty. The film carries a message - small acts of kindness can indeed bring about positive change in the world. It's a three-hankie weeper, a powerful portrayal of friendship, resilience, and love, making this film a must-watch and one of the best Hindi films of the year.