Cannes 2025: Karan Johar and Neeraj Ghaywan on ‘Homebound’ and Earning Respect Over Box-Office

For Neeraj Ghaywan, Homebound began as a feeling — a story that “hit home.”

Introduced to the script by Somen Mishra (Head of Creative Development at Dharma), the filmmaker recalls a visceral response to the material. “I looked within… because I come from a marginalised background, I understand the pain better,” he said during a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. “I went to my own childhood, my own neighbourhood… there’s a lot of ‘me’ in it.”

Homebound marks Ghaywan’s return at Cannes in the Un Certain Regard category 10 years after Masaan (2015). The career milestone is elevated by the presence of executive producer Martin Scorsese. “This was not even part of my bucket list,” Ghaywan admitted. “I'm literally living the dream of every indie-spirited filmmaker.” Scorsese’s detailed feedback, he said, sharpened the film in ways he hadn’t anticipated. “It was surreal.”

Set in a north Indian village, Homebound follows two close friends who aspire to become police officers in search of dignity and stability. But as desperation intensifies in their pursuit, their bond begins to fray. The film stars Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor and Vishal Jethwa. Ghaywan chose to ground the actors in the film’s world from the start. “I gave my actors the narration in a village,” he shared. “I wanted them to understand not just the characters, but the environment they come from.”

A still from 'Homebound'

For producer Karan Johar, this collaboration was long in the making. Years ago, Johar and Ghaywan had first explored working together on an adaptation of The Fault in Our Stars. “It didn’t work out, but I’ve admired Neeraj since Masaan,” Johar said. “With Homebound, it’s all about Neeraj Ghaywan; it’s about my implicit trust in his storytelling, in his ability to capture nuance with heart and also make those films accessible.”

That trust was enough for Johar to board the project without hesitation. “Whatever you do, I want to be on board,” he told Ghaywan early on.

Johar acknowledged that this Cannes trip meant something different. “I was jumping in my room when I found out I’m going to Cannes — for a film, not for a fashion brand.”

He also spoke candidly about the dual roles he straddles: as a commercially minded director and a risk-taking producer. “I’m much braver as a producer than I am as a director,” he said. “As a filmmaker and a studio head, I’m not allowed to fail.”

Yet, passion remains a driving force. “There are some films you make for love, and if they make you money, we go on a holiday,” Johar laughed. “I believe respect is bigger than love,” he added, reflecting on how he seeks validation not just from audiences, but cinephiles.

When asked about marketing Homebound in a time of theatrical uncertainty, Johar remained optimistic. “We’re just going to keep the faith,” he said, pointing to the success of Kill, another genre-defying project under his banner. “I believe this film will find its way.”

As for winning a prize in the Un Certain Regard category, Ghaywan smiled and said, “I’m not expecting anything,” he said. For the filmmaker, being at Cannes 2025 with his film and the support of his producers is enough.

Before the conversation wrapped, Johar made an exclusive reveal to The Hollywood Reporter India that Ghaywan’s next project would also be backed by Dharma Productions.