Karan Johar recently attended the London screening of Homebound, and the filmmaker seemed thrilled to be part of the event. The evening was a special one for him and the team, celebrating the global journey of the critically acclaimed drama.
Karan Johar Attends Homebound Screening In London With Ishaan Khatter And Vishal Jethwa
The screening was hosted by director Gurinder Chadha. Karan Johar joined the film’s lead actors, Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa, and the trio smiled proudly while posing for pictures. Sharing photos on Instagram, KJo said he felt overwhelmed by the warmth and support from fans and friends. He also thanked Gurinder Chadha for hosting the event.
He wrote, “Made it to the London leg of our @homeboundthefilm campaign & it was a night filled with the warmest love, familiar and new faces and a whole lot of support for our film. A special shoutout to @gurinder.chadha, who so graciously hosted this screening for us.”
This was not the first international stop for Homebound. Earlier in November, Karan Johar attended the Los Angeles screening. Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria, director Neeraj Ghaywan, and the main cast were also present. KJo shared pictures from LA too, saying he was grateful that everyone could join and support the film.
Before LA and London, Homebound was celebrated in New York. Martin Scorsese, who is an executive producer on the film, hosted a special screening there. His involvement has brought even more international attention to the project.
Director Neeraj Ghaywan spoke about the meaning of the film. He said it is rooted in love for the land and the people, and it is a proud moment for him to share India’s stories with the world.
About The Film
Homebound is a 2025 Hindi drama directed by Neeraj Ghaywan. It is inspired by a 2020 New York Times essay that told the story of migrant workers during India’s COVID-19 lockdown. The film follows childhood friends Mohammed Shoaib Ali (Ishaan Khatter) and Chandan Kumar (Vishal Jethwa). They dream of becoming police officers to escape poverty and social discrimination.
Their plans are tested when the nationwide lockdown forces them into a long, painful journey on foot. The film highlights friendship, hope, inequality and the struggles faced by migrant workers during the crisis.
The cast also includes Janhvi Kapoor as Sudha Bharti, Shalini Vatsa as Chandan’s mother, and Harshika Parmar as his sister. Critics praised Ishaan and Vishal for their raw and honest performances.
Produced by Dharma Productions on a modest budget of Rs 3–5 crore, Homebound has gained huge recognition globally. It received a nine-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2025. The film also won awards at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne and the Toronto International Film Festival.
It was released in India in September 2025 and globally on Netflix in November 2025. Homebound has also been selected as India’s official entry for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards.
