Homebound: Vishal Jethwa shares his excitement as the film makes it to TIFF

After earning acclaim at Cannes Film Festival in May, filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound is set to be screened at the ongoing Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 10, 11, and 13. Vishal Jethwa, who leads the drama with Ishaan Khatter, says he is heading to Canada with love and excitement in his heart. “Cannes gave us an overwhelming response. To now be heading to Toronto with Homebound is a dream,” he shares.

Based on an essay by Basharat Peer in The New York Times, Ghaywan’s movie tells the story of two friends struggling to reach their village in Uttar Pradesh during the 2020 pandemic-induced lockdown. Jethwa remembers the applause it received at Cannes. The actor says, “When we went to Cannes, my heart was racing out of nervousness, but this time, it’s beating faster because of excitement. The standing ovation at Cannes gave us courage. When you see people from different countries connecting with the story, crying, and even thanking you, it humbles you. It reminds you why you became an actor in the first place.”