Neeraj Ghaywan’s brilliant and evocative Homebound is India’s official entry to the Oscars. Not since Lagaan has a film from India been so worthy of getting the Oscar. Not since Satyajit Ray’s Pather Panchali has this writer watched a film so rapturously moving. Is Neeraj Ghaywan the Ray of hope of modern Indian cinema? In Masaan, ten years ago and now in Homebound, Ghaywan creates a world so authentic and yet so poetic!
Speaking to this writer immediately after the Oscar announcement, director Neeraj Ghaywan says, “I am of course pleased for myself and for our producer Karan Johar. If as you say, Homebound has a good chance of bringing home the Oscar, then I am most happy.”
Homebound has been going from strength to strength in recent months. When the great American filmmaker Martin Scorsese saw it, he immediately came onboard as Executive Producer.
“That was most unexpected, and highly flattering. I am hoping the film’s incredible journey takes it all the way to the shortlist of Oscar nominations,” says Ghaywan.
