Homebound: Friendship, Injustice and the Irony of Life

COVID took place 5 years ago and that feels like an eternity. While I had my fair share of loses, i almost forgot the effect it had on the masses. For every individual, their state of difficulty or challenges seems to be the biggest issue in the world, but there are millions out there who doesn't even have the basic amenities you afford. This not only applies to us, but also to the characters in the film. Neeraj Ghaywan's Homebound is one such gut-wrenching tale that reminds you of the after-effects of the horrific lockdown phase.

Chandan (Ishaan Khatter) and Shoaib (Vishal Jehtwa) are two best buddies growing up in a small town with big dreams. Dreaming is obviously free, but in how many cases do these dreams come true? Well at least in their case, it doesn't exactly happen.

The film touches upon several sensitive themes such as marginalized communities, religious discrimination, denial of fair opportunities, the laziness of government and society’s perception of different classes. All of this is beautifully woven into a story of friendship, with its fair share of ups and downs. With Chandan belonging to the SC background and Shoaib being a Muslim, life is always unfair to them. Shoaib constantly faces religious slurs, mockery and is always seen through a judgmental lens. There’s even a particular cricket match reference that almost resembles a real incident from the recent World Cup final when India played Australia.

The pain Chandan bears is heartbreaking. When he speaks about not being able to touch the trophy despite being declared the player of the match, or when he feels absolutely crushed with shame while ticking the SC quota in a college form, it makes you choke. Chandan is trapped in a space where he can neither be true to himself nor to society, and that sequence is painfully beautiful. His family, too, is not spared with the upper-class people refusing to eat the food cooked by his mother for their kids but are fine with his sister wiping their butts. At some point, you just wish you could reach out and help them survive this cruel world.

Another powerful layer of the film is its portrayal of the lockdown’s impact on daily wage workers. While we all knew things were unbearably hard back then, the film forces you to confront the pain in a way statistics and headlines never could. Families were separated for days and months, with no hope in sight. Just when you think their lives couldn’t possibly get worse, they do. The journey from Surat back to their homes had me praying and rooting for them at every step. And yet, life’s irony hits the hardest. The moment things finally begin to fall into place, god snatches it all away.

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Despite all these sorrows, there are little moments of happiness. For instance, when Shoaib’s father asks him to follow his heart despite the complex situation at home, the conversation between Chandan and Sudha (Janhvi Kapoor) about love, life and their capacity to understand each other’s struggles or the fun banter that Chandan’s family shares at dinner time only makes you realize that nothing is more important than your family. Homebound is easily one of the best films of the year and I beg you all to watch it on the big screens!

Verdict: Homebound is raw, emotional and unforgettable, reflecting harsh realities and lost dreams. It is one of the year’s finest films and is best experienced on the big screen.