There are some films that urge us to stop and listen, at times, begging more questions than they answer. Homebound, which premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard category, is one such title. Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and produced by Martin Scorsese, the film received a nine-minute standing ovation at its premiere, moving the audience with its raw storytelling and unflinching moral gaze. Set against the backdrop of rural North India, the film follows the story of two childhood friends—Shoaib Ali (Ishaan Khatter) and Chandan Kumar (Vishal Jethwa)—as they work towards their goal of becoming police officers that promises them dignity and a better life. Delving into themes of class, caste and religion, the story reflects the challenges faced by marginalised communities in India. And at the heart of this slow burn rebellion is Sudha Bharti—an idealist whose strength lies in her moral clarity—brought to life with great conviction by Indian actress Janhvi Kapoor.
Her character plays the romantic interest of Chandan (Vishal Jethwa), who she motivates to pursue his potential academic calling. Extremely politically aware and passionate about the Ambedkarite belief system, Sudha feels responsible to encourage awareness among others. In many ways, Sudha is the moral compass of the film; a catalyst in Chandan’s journey.
For Kapoor, whose journey has often been shaped by the expectations that come with her last name, Homebound stands as a career defining shift. Her decision to take on the role was an intention to pivot towards craft, rather than the glamour of it. Her most introspective role to date, Kapoor prepared for it by reading books like Annihilation of Caste and watching films like Rosetta and Three Colours: Blue, and doing her own research as well. “It made me a more empathetic person, more sincere, diligent, curious, and socially responsible,” Kapoor on playing Sudha. “I’m extremely grateful for the journey this role took me on.”
At the film’s premiere at Cannes Film Festival, the actress turned heads with her red carpet appearance wearing a Tarun Tahiliani ensemble that paid tribute to her late mother, the legendary Sridevi. In an interview with Vogue Singapore, Janhvi Kapoor opens up about playing a character like Sudha, collaborating with Ghaywan, and her experience at Cannes.
Congratulations on the Cannes premiere of the film. How are you feeling about being there and showing the film to a global audience for the first time?
It is an absolute honour to be part of such a prestigious film festival, surrounded by so many incredible artists, and to share this film with a global audience for the very first time. At the premiere of Homebound last week, I witnessed a community that truly values cinema. The way the audience received the film; the respect they showed for what we tried to create, their openness to it, and how deeply it moved them, really affirmed our belief in the importance of this story. It has a message that resonates globally. I keep pinching myself and counting my blessings that I was able to be part of a film and a story like this, and that, as a result, I also get to be part of a festival like this.
Sudha Bharti feels like a departure from some of your earlier roles. How did you prepare for the role and what did this character allow you to explore that you hadn’t before?
It was very important for both the director and myself to be as aware and informed as possible about the politics of my character and her belief system. That meant a great deal to me, because in many ways, Sudha is the moral soul of the film; she’s a catalyst. So, understanding where her political ideology came from was essential. It involved reading a lot of literature and really trying to empathise with her perspective. That process made me a more empathetic person, someone that’s more sincere, diligent, curious, and socially responsible. I’m extremely grateful for the journey this role took me on.
Homebound touches on themes of friendship, ambition, and the sacrifices one makes for a dream. Tell us more about the film and if any of the themes resonate more with you?
The theme that resonates most with me is identity, specifically, the journey of accepting one’s identity in order to challenge invisible systems that uphold social hierarchies. I believe everyone should be as conscious as possible of these systems and feel empowered to confront them. And I truly think that fight begins with embracing who you are.
What was it like working with Neeraj Ghaywan? How did his direction influence your performance?
Working with Neeraj sir has been one of the highlights of my career. It’s truly one of the most cherished relationships I’ve built as an actor. He’s such a special human being, the most sensitive, considerate, and wise presence, both on- and off-set. It’s been a real privilege to spend time with him and learn under his guidance. He’s taught me so much about myself and about the kind of person I want to be. His direction not only shaped my performance but also helped me become a more responsible citizen. Through his exercises in empathy, I’ve grown into a more open and self-aware artist.
You and Ishaan Khatter first shared the screen in Dhadak, and now reunite in Homebound. How has your dynamic evolved over the years, and what have you learned from working with him across these two very different films?
Because we spent so much time together during Dhadak, we had already built a strong sense of familiarity and trust, which really helped, especially on a set like this, where you’re required to be vulnerable around each other. Even though our characters didn’t share a lot of screen time in Homebound, Ishaan was around on set quite a bit. One of the most vulnerable scenes in the film, which unfortunately didn’t make it into the final cut shown at the festival, required us to be completely comfortable around each other.
Were there any particularly memorable days from working on set?
There’s a scene in the film where Vishal’s character, Chandan, and I are at the beach. It was a very tender and interesting moment, I really enjoyed performing it. There was something about the location, and also the comfort that came from spending a good amount of time with Vishal beforehand. It felt like we had found our rhythm, and shooting that scene was a genuinely fulfilling experience.
Cannes is a big moment. What does it mean for you to take Indian cinema to the world stage?
I’m just grateful to be part of a film as meaningful as this one. It’s incredibly moving to see how much it has resonated with people and knowing that Neeraj sir created it from such a sincere and genuine place makes it all the more personal for all of us involved. I knew from the beginning that I wanted to be part of this story, and the biggest honour has been simply being considered for the role and going on this journey with the team. To now witness how this work of art has touched lives and connected with so many people at the screening, it’s incredibly fulfilling. I’m just glad the film is being showcased on a platform as global as Cannes, because that’s what it truly deserves. It’s a deeply universal film.
Martin Scorsese backed the film. Is he someone that inspires you? How did that add a new kind of layer to the film?
Martin Scorsese coming on board as an executive producer is something I still haven’t fully processed. I’ve grown up watching his films, and for any film buff, his work represents the pinnacle of cinema. He’s a complete stalwart of the craft, and honestly, it feels surreal that someone like him has seen a film I’ve been part of. The fact that he’s been so involved, not just during the script stage, but also throughout the editing process, really shows what a true champion he is for world cinema. It’s incredibly humbling and a huge honour to know that he believed in the story enough to be part of this journey with us.
From Dhadak to Homebound, how would you say you’ve evolved as an actor?
I think I’ve definitely become more confident and open as an actor. I’m no longer confused about the value I bring to a film with my skill set. The experiences I’ve had over the years have made me more malleable and adventurous on set, more willing to explore places that feel emotionally or even physically uncomfortable. I’ve also started to understand that I don’t need to take myself so seriously. A big part of the process is allowing yourself to grow, to explore, and to indulge the child in you, that sense of curiosity and play. I’m happy to be able to tap into that and let it guide me every time I step onto a movie set. I work with more confidence now, with both greater abandon and discipline. After spending a few more years in the industry, I’ve gained more experience, and with that comes a deeper sense of clarity and assurance in my craft.
On a lighter note, your fashion choices have always been stunning. For your Cannes debut, what was the vision behind your red carpet look?
The vision honestly came from my sister, Rhea Kapoor. When we spoke briefly about the film and the fact that we were representing this story on a global stage, we decided very early on that we didn’t want it to be a hyper-glamorous moment in terms of the sartorial choices. We wanted it to feel dignified and to be a true reflection of my Indian culture and heritage, never in a way that felt gimmicky or forced, but something that was organic to me. We also knew we wanted the look to be dreamy and ethereal, yet subtle, never loud or demanding attention. And I think that’s exactly what we achieved.
