'Homebound': a work of deep empathy

Neeraj Ghaywan's 'Homebound', which premiered at Cannes, seeks to bring about understanding rather than to vilify

- Pahull Bains

Neeraj Ghaywan returned to Cannes 10 years after his debut feature film Masaan premiered there. Homebound, his sophomore feature, which premiered to heartfelt applause and tears at the festival on 21 May, follows two young men in rural India—Muhammed Shoaib Ali, played by Ishaan Khatter, and Chandan Kumar, played by Vishal Jethwa—determined to escape a life marked with bigotry and poverty.

As a Muslim, Shoaib faces constant discrimination and as a Dalit, Chandan's place in the social hierarchy is all but predetermined. The two best friends grew up down the road from each other and we meet them at an age where their concerns about providing for their families and transcending their circumstances have taken centre stage.

Shoaib's father wants him to take up a menial job in Dubai, where he won't be looked at askance on the basis of his religion, and Chandan's family is willing to go to great lengths to ensure he can pursue a career or education outside their village. But to the two friends, a police uniform represents a shortcut to the respect they've always been denied. So along with two million other young hopefuls, they take the qualifying state exam for a constable position. But when police recruitment is put on hold, they must scramble to figure out Plan B.