Homebound review: A tale of friendship, hope, prejudice and so much more!

Starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor, Homebound gives you the reality check you didn’t know you needed!

Homebound review: When COVID-19 hit and most of us looked at it as the perfect opportunity to hit pause, relax and join in on trends like baking a banana bread, we had no idea what it was like for people who aren’t from financially stable backgrounds. We lived in a bubble because it was easier to do that and Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound bursts that bubble and leaves an eye-opening impact on us!

The story revolves around best friends, Chandan (Vishal Jethwa) and Shoaib Ali(Ishaan Khatter), two youngsters from minority families with big dreams in their eyes. Both strive to be police officers so they don’t have to face the prejudice of the privileged anymore. They work hard to pass the exam and that is when Chandan meets Sudha(Janhvi Kapoor) and the two hit it off in one go. But this isn’t your dreamy Dharma film, not everyone gets the fruit of their hard work here. Chandan has to succumb to working at a textile mill and Shoaib becomes an office peon after failing the exam and passing up an opportunity to go to Dubai. While the story is layered with hope and feels like this is going to be an underdog story, it quickly tears apart everything you wish for these characters. An office job for Shoaib turns into a sour experience he has to leave, Chandan watching his house getting made brick by brick makes you happy for him but is instantly followed by a tragic incident because that’s just what reality is like and this is unfortunately what life is like for a major part of our population.

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Just when things start to look up for both of them, COVID-19 hits and drags them down for the worse. Back in 2020 we saw labourers struggle to go back home and Neeraj Ghaywan’s film gives you front row seats to how troublesome, depressing and graphic the journey back home for them was like. While Janhvi Kapoor plays her character with conviction with whatever little she is given to do, the story heavily relies on Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa and, with their camaraderie on-screen, the two make their friendship the core of this film. Amidst all the hardships that Chandan and Shoaib go through, they always have each other’s back, they become each other’s go-to person just like a best friend should be. Even when they have a disagreement, their reunion defines the term ‘all you need is that one friend in your life’. They give us a modern day Jay and Veeru arc and it is heartwarming to see, at least for the most part of it!

Homebound ultimately is an ode to the suppressed ones in the society who are often subjected to bullying and violence. This isn’t your everyday entertainer but a hard hitting reminder to count your blessings and the comforts of life we often take for granted!

Homebound is currently streaming at a theatre near you!

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