Mumbai: Neeraj Ghaywan’s latest directorial, Homebound, India’s official Oscar entry in the Best International Feature category, opened to a disappointing ₹30 lakh at the domestic box office on day one. The film features Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor in lead roles and was highly anticipated following its screenings at Cannes and the Toronto International Film Festival.

Domestic box office performance

According to Sacnilk.com, the early estimates indicate that Homebound earned ₹30 lakh nett in India, significantly lower than comparable releases. For perspective, Ishaan Khatter’s Dhadak collected ₹8.71 crore on its opening day, while Phone Bhoot earned ₹2.05 crore. Vishal Jethwa’s Salaam Venky opened at ₹45 lakh.

Despite the modest opening, industry insiders note that films with festival acclaim and international recognition often see slower initial collections in India, with word-of-mouth potentially boosting earnings in the coming weeks.

Critical reception

Homebound has garnered positive reviews from critics. Hindustan Times praised the performances, writing:

“Vishal Jethwa and Ishaan Khatter bring vulnerability to their roles, their chemistry as childhood friends fully convincing. Ishaan’s emotional breakdown hits hard in one scene, while Vishal’s turn in the climax lingers long after. Janhvi Kapoor delivers an earnest performance, while Shalini Vatsa, as Chandan’s mother, quietly grounds the film with grace. Overall, Homebound is not just a film about friendship, caste, or migration. It is a reminder of humanity brought to its knees by a pandemic, and of the invisible lives that bore the heaviest weight in our country.”

The film is inspired by journalist Basharat Peer’s article “Taking Amrit Home”, exploring themes of friendship, caste, and the struggles of marginalized communities during the pandemic.

About the film

Homebound portrays the childhood friendship between a Muslim and a Dalit who aspire to join the police force, a career promising them dignity denied due to their surnames. The narrative combines social realism with personal storytelling, highlighting the impact of systemic inequalities and the human cost of societal marginalisation.

The film is produced by Karan Johar and Adar Poonawalla, with Hollywood legend Martin Scorsese serving as an executive producer, lending further international credibility.

Looking ahead

While the ₹30 lakh opening is below expectations, festival recognition and strong performances could generate positive word-of-mouth, potentially improving box office performance in subsequent days. Analysts note that films with strong social messaging and critical acclaim often gain momentum over time, particularly among urban audiences.