Shah Rukh Khan calls Ishaan Khatter’s Homebound ‘honest and soulful’ as India’s Oscar entry shines worldwide

Shah Rukh Khan applauds Homebound for its raw, heartfelt storytelling as the Ishaan Khatter–Janhvi Kapoor starrer gears up for the Oscars.

Some films arrive with noise, and then there are films that arrive with quiet power. Homebound seems to have chosen the latter path and won the admiration of one of Bollywood’s biggest voices. Shah Rukh Khan, known for his sharp instinct for emotional storytelling, has praised the film with rare warmth, calling it “gentle, honest and soulful.”

After travelling through festival circuits like Cannes 2025, TIFF, and IFFM, the` Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor starrer finally released in India on September 26. And the conversation around it is only growing louder.

What did Shah Rukh Khan say about Homebound?

On December 10, SRK shared a heartfelt note on X, expressing how deeply the film moved him. He wrote, “#Homebound is gentle, honest and soulful. Lots of love and big hugs to the phenomenal team for creating something so human and engaging. You have won hearts world over by making something truly special!”

#Homebound is gentle, honest and soulful. Lots of love and big hugs to the phenomenal team for creating something so human and engaging. You have won hearts world over by making something truly special!@ghaywan #IshaanKhatter @vishaljethwa06 #JanhviKapoor #KaranJohar…

— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) December 10, 2025

For a film driven by its emotional core and lived-in performances, praise from Shah Rukh, who has always championed heartfelt stories, adds an extra layer of credibility.

Why has Homebound become India’s Oscar entry?

The Film Federation of India has selected Homebound as the country’s official entry to the 98th Academy Awards under the Best International Feature Film category. Its festival journey, Cannes, TIFF, IFFM, already hinted that the film carried international appeal. The Oscar selection only confirms that its storytelling resonates far beyond its geographical setting.

What makes the story so compelling?

At the heart of Homebound lies a simple yet piercing narrative.
The film follows two childhood friends from a small North Indian village who are chasing the same dream, a police job that promises dignity and stability. But as the pressure mounts, ambition, desperation, and societal obstacles begin to test their bond.

It’s a story of friendship, dignity, and the quiet battles young Indians fight every day, told without melodrama, but with a rare, grounded honesty.

About Homebound

The film stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, each praised for their authentic performances. It is produced by Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra, with co-producers Marijke de Souza and Melita Toscan du Plantier.

Adding to its prestige, the legendary Martin Scorsese serves as Executive Producer, a stamp of global confidence that few Indian films receive.