Actor Ishaan Khatter penned a heartfelt note on social media after his film Homebound did not secure a nomination at the 98th Academy Awards. Despite the setback, Ishaan described the film as a deeply personal and hopeful experience, expressing gratitude for the journey and the people behind it.
Taking to Instagram, Ishaan shared stills from the film, behind-the-scenes photographs, and moments from the sets. He reflected on how Homebound continues to resonate with him both personally and professionally.
“Homebound is and always was a piece of my heart. It’s a story that took us through a journey inwards after daring to look outside the bubble we identify ourselves in,” he wrote. Ishaan added that while the film mirrors a difficult reality, it has always remained hopeful for him “as a human being, as a cinema person, and as a young actor.”
Praise for Director Neeraj Ghaywan
Ishaan also expressed admiration for filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan, calling him a moral compass and a creative force he deeply trusts.
“As we come to the end of one part of its journey, I know I will always look back at it with love and gratitude,” Ishaan wrote, adding, “There are very few people I can say this about, but I know I can always trust your conscience as a yardstick.”
He concluded the post by thanking the entire cast and crew, acknowledging everyone who supported the film and embraced it as their own. “No feeling is final,” he noted, underscoring resilience and hope.
Vishal Jethwa Also Reacts
Earlier, actor Vishal Jethwa, who stars alongside Ishaan, shared his own emotional message. He acknowledged the disappointment of missing out on the Oscars but emphasized the value of effort and perseverance.
“Failure is not when you fail; it’s when you don’t try,” Vishal wrote, adding that the Homebound team gave their best from day one.
About Homebound
Homebound was shortlisted for the International Feature Film category at the upcoming Oscars but did not make it to the final nominations. The shortlist included films from countries such as Argentina, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Spain, and Switzerland.
The film stars Ishaan Khatter as Shoaib and Vishal Jethwa as Chandan, portraying childhood friends whose shared dream of joining the police force shapes their lives. Janhvi Kapoor plays a pivotal role, adding emotional depth to the narrative rooted in friendship, ambition, and the pressures faced by young people in India.
Produced by Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, and Apoorva Mehta, and co-produced by Marijke deSouza and Melita Toscan Du Plantier, the film also lists Martin Scorsese and Pravin Khairnar as executive producers.
