Filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan has criticized mainstream Bollywood for ignoring stories of the majority population and focusing only on upper-caste narratives. His latest film, Homebound, addresses caste disparities in modern India and has been selected as India's official entry to the Oscars. Ghaywan pointed out that in 100 years of cinema, Hindi films have primarily told stories of just 10-15% of the population. He highlighted the absence of Dalit and tribal voices both in front of and behind the camera, calling it a glaring problem that requires reparations. Homebound stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor. Based on a New York Times essay, the film follows two friends—a Dalit and a Muslim—who aspire to become policemen to escape discrimination. Their journey as migrant workers during the Covid-19 pandemic forms the core narrative. Produced by Karan Johar and executive produced by Martin Scorsese, the film premiered at Cannes Film Festival and released theatrically in India in August 2025.
Call for Inclusive Cinema and Dalit Representation
Speaking on IMDb's official YouTube channel, Ghaywan emphasized the urgent need for greater inclusivity in Indian cinema. He explained that traditional Hindi cinema has primarily revolved around stories of the upper-caste population, representing just 10-15% of society. The filmmaker expressed concern over the complete absence of Dalit and tribal community members, both as storytellers and performers. He acknowledged being one of the few recognized filmmakers from the community, describing this situation as a glaring problem. Ghaywan stressed that the film industry must make reparations for this long-standing neglect. His film Homebound attempts to address this gap by showcasing the lived experiences of marginalized communities, offering perspectives that mainstream Bollywood has historically overlooked throughout its century-long existence.
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