Ishaan Khatter on Homebound’s Box Office: “Not A Failure, Just A Different Journey”

Ishaan Khatter has firmly rejected the notion that his latest film, Homebound, constitutes a "failure," despite its underwhelming box office performance of just ₹5 crore domestically since its release. Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and produced by Dharma Productions' Karan Johar and Apoorva Mehta, the drama earned critical acclaim and international recognition, including selection as India's official entry for the 2025 Oscars in the International Feature Film category. Starring Khatter alongside Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor, Homebound draws from a poignant true story of two migrant workers—a Muslim and a Dalit—navigating childhood friendship and systemic discrimination during the COVID-19 lockdowns as they pursue a police job symbolising elusive dignity.

In a candid interview with PTI today the 30-year-old actor emphasised the film's enduring legacy beyond initial commercial metrics. "I don't think this film is a failure. I think films have different journeys," Khatter stated, acknowledging the stark numbers while expressing optimism about their "long life". He clarified his stance stems from genuine belief rather than delusion, vowing to continue promoting it to reach wider audiences.

The movie's narrative, loosely inspired by journalist Basharat Peer's New York Times article "Taking Amrit Home (A Friendship, a Pandemic and a Death Beside the Highway)", premiered at global festivals, captivating viewers with its raw exploration of caste, religion, and resilience amid the 2020 pandemic's chaos.

Khatter's comments arrive at a pivotal moment for independent Indian cinema, which often struggles against the dominance of high-budget blockbusters. Homebound, executive-produced by Hollywood icon Martin Scorsese, exemplifies the challenges faced by mid-tier films in translating festival buzz into theatrical success, especially post-pandemic when audience preferences lean toward escapist fare. The film's intimate portrayal of migrant struggles—echoing real-life tragedies like labourers' perilous journeys home during lockdowns—has resonated deeply with critics, yet its modest earnings highlight broader industry dynamics where marketing budgets and star power heavily influence visibility.

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Looking ahead, Khatter advocated for cultural shifts to sustain such stories, urging audiences to actively support diverse narratives. "One does hope for a time where films like these will also see the kind of numbers that you see a big commercial blockbuster having," he remarked, stressing the need for viewers to become "stakeholders" in fostering an ecosystem for indie projects.

With Homebound now streaming on select platforms and gaining traction internationally, Khatter's perspective reinforces a growing call within Bollywood for balanced investment in content-driven cinema, potentially paving the way for more socially relevant tales to thrive commercially and artistically.

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