Review : HomeBound – A Tale of Dreams, Struggles, and Unbreakable Bonds

Inspired by the moving New York Times essay #TakingAmritHome (2020), HomeBound is a deeply heartfelt and emotional film that captures the struggles of ordinary people caught between aspirations and adversity.

The story revolves around two childhood friends from a small North Indian village #Chandan, a Dalit boy, and #Shoaib, a Muslim boy. Bound by dreams of becoming police officers, they believe the uniform will earn them respect and lift their families out of hardship. But life has a harsher script in store.

When the police exam results are delayed for a year, their journeys begin to diverge. Shoaib, compelled by his family’s financial struggles, takes up a peon’s job, while Chandan pursues higher education. Eventually, Chandan clears the exam, but Shoaib doesn’t—creating a painful rift between them. To make matters worse, bureaucratic delays rob Chandan of his appointment letter, crushing his hopes. With no choice left, he migrates to Surat to earn money and build a proper home for his family. Around the same time, Shoaib, disillusioned after enduring religious discrimination at work, joins Chandan in Surat, saving for his father’s knee surgery.

Just as life begins to stabilize, the COVID-19 pandemic strikes. In their desperate attempt to return home, tragedy befalls them—Chandan doesn’t survive the journey.

What makes HomeBound resonate is not just its honest portrayal of caste, religion, and systemic injustice, but also its quiet moments of kindness and resilience that shine even in despair. Director #NeerajGhaywan crafts a narrative that is raw yet tender, ensuring the emotional weight lingers long after the credits roll.

Performances are the film’s strongest anchor. #IshaanKhatter brings an understated vulnerability to Chandan, while #VishalJethwa delivers an equally compelling act as Shoaib. Their chemistry gives the film its emotional core, making the audience invest deeply in their journey.

HomeBound is more than the story of two friends it is a mirror reflecting the countless lives whose dreams are tested against the unforgiving realities of our times. A poignant watch, it leaves you shaken, moved, and perhaps more empathetic.

Rating: ***1/2

By Team CineBuster