Cannes 2025: Neeraj Ghaywan cries after Homebound gets 9-minute standing ovation

The team of the Indian movie Homebound attended its premiere at the 78th Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday. As the curtains closed, the audience stood in unison and gave the film a rousing 9-minute standing ovation. The clock surpassed even that of Tom Cruise’s Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning, which received a little over 5 minutes of standing ovation. 

Filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan couldn’t help but get emotional and hugged Dharma honcho Karan Johar as he cried out of happiness. The screening was also attended by the film’s star cast, Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vishal Jethwa. The audience also included Janhvi’s father, Boney Kapoor, sister Khushi Kapoor, and boyfriend Shikhar Pahariya. Watch the video below. 

Cannes 2025: Neeraj Ghaywan cries after Homebound gets 9-minute standing ovation – watch video#Cannes2025 #Homebound #NeerajGhaywan #CannesFilmFestival2025 pic.twitter.com/jDw31FgPNE

— Mid Day (@mid_day) May 21, 2025

Martin Scorsese backs Homebound 

One of the most celebrated filmmakers from Hollywood, Martin Scorsese, has come on board Homebound. He revealed that he was impressed by Ghaywan`s work after witnessing his debut movie, Masaan, in 2015. It starred actor Vicky Kaushal, and was also screened at Cannes and won awards in the same category.

The `Taxi driver` maker said, “I have seen Neeraj`s first film Masaan in 2015 and I loved it, so when Mélita Toscan du Plantier sent me the project of his second film, I was curious. I loved the story, the culture and was willing to help. Neeraj has made a beautifully crafted film that`s a significant contribution to Indian cinema. I am glad the movie is an official selection at Un Certain Regard in Cannes this year.”

About Neeraj Ghaywan`s Homebound 

The film is reportedly about two childhood friends from a small village in North India who pursue a police job that offers them the dignity they have long been denied. As they move closer to their goal, the desperation causes a strain in their bond creating distance. 

It is Ishaan and Janhvi’s second collaboration after Dhadak. This is also Ishaan’s second brush with the international entertainment canvas after his debut Beyond the Clouds, which was directed by Iranian auteur Majid Majidi.

Homebound is produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra. The co-producers include Marijke de Souza and Melita Toscan Du Plantier.

This article first appeared on Mid Day