Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound Wins Big at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025

Acclaimed filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan has once again captured the spotlight, with his latest drama Homebound sweeping the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) 2025. The film won Best Film and earned Ghaywan the Best Director award at the festival’s awards night held on August 15, 2025. Starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jetwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, the film resonated with international audiences for its sensitive portrayal of belonging, displacement, and the emotional complexities of returning home.

About the Film: Homebound

Themes and Storytelling

• Explores belonging and identity, particularly in the context of displacement.
• Captures the emotional struggles of returning home after long absences.
• Resonates with audiences globally due to its universal themes of nostalgia, alienation, and reconciliation.

Cast

• Ishaan Khatter
• Vishal Jetwa
• Janhvi Kapoor
• The performances have been praised for their authenticity and emotional depth, bringing Ghaywan’s vision vividly to life.

IFFM 2025 Recognition

The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne is a prestigious international platform that celebrates Indian cinema on the global stage. Winning Best Film and Best Director at this festival adds to Neeraj Ghaywan’s growing international recognition.

Additionally, Homebound has been chosen as the closing film of the festival on August 24, 2025, underlining its significance and impact.

About Neeraj Ghaywan

• Rose to fame with Masaan (2015), which won awards at Cannes Film Festival.
• Known for tackling socially conscious themes such as caste, identity, and marginalization.
• With Homebound, Ghaywan further establishes himself as a filmmaker who blends artistic storytelling with pressing human concerns.

Global Significance of the Win

• Strengthens the global visibility of Indian independent cinema.
• Encourages narratives that go beyond commercial tropes, highlighting social and emotional complexities.
• Positions Ghaywan among India’s most influential new-age filmmakers.