Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound brings India’s Oscar entry to Netflix with raw honesty

Two friends chase respect in a system stacked against them. This Oscar-bound film on Netflix strips away illusions with quiet, devastating clarity.

, and Administrator

2025 November 26 . 3:29 AM

1 min read

This image consists of many people. It looks like there is a movie being shot on the camera. On the... — This image consists of many people. It looks like there is a movie being shot on the camera. On the right, there is a man standing. In the middle, there is a table, on which there are plates, forks and glasses. And a woman sitting near the table. On the left, there are two persons operating the camera. In the background, we can see the racks and frames fixed on the walls. On the right, there is a screen. At the bottom, there is a floor.

Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound brings India’s Oscar entry to Netflix with raw honesty

Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound is now streaming on Netflix as India’s official entry for the 98th Academy Awards. The film offers a quiet but sharp look at life in India, far from the usual stories of progress and success. Instead, it follows two childhood friends struggling against a system that promises fairness but often delivers the opposite.

The story centres on Chandan Kumar Valmiki and Mohammed Shoaib Ali, two young men who see police uniforms as their ticket to respect and stability. Their dreams drive the first half of the film, which focuses on ambition and the small, telling moments that shape identity. Names become a key theme—how they’re given, how they’re judged, and how they can trap people in expectations.

Now available on Netflix, Homebound stands out for its unflinching honesty. The film’s power lies in its refusal to soften reality, leaving audiences with a clear-eyed view of the challenges faced by its characters. Its selection as India’s Oscar entry highlights its impact as a story that demands attention.