Ishaan Khatter expressed his excitement about ‘Homebound’ being India’s submission for the 2026 Oscars. He stated his enthusiasm, emphasizing that even if he weren’t involved in the film, he would still champion the subject matter and Neeraj Ghaywan’s work. He believes the film deserves recognition and hopes it will reach a wider audience. When asked about the perceived time it took for him to reach this level of acclaim, Khatter acknowledged the support he’s received and how it fuels his artistic drive. He credits Neeraj Ghaywan for offering him a role that allowed him to showcase his capabilities, similar to the way Majid Majidi had in the past. Khatter expressed gratitude for being part of Ghaywan’s meaningful work.
Khatter discussed how he was offered the role of Shoaib, a complex character facing prejudice. He received the script from Neeraj and was informed about the project by Karan Johar. He immediately recognized the subject’s importance and relevance. He found the script to be beautifully written and keenly observed. Khatter connected with the characters’ journey and friendship, considering it his most challenging role yet. Addressing the difficulty of portraying an underprivileged character, Khatter acknowledged his privilege. He highlighted how the film explores different forms of privilege and societal standards. He mentioned the film’s exploration of gender inequality within the same household. Khatter, along with the cast, studied the historical context and spent time in villages to understand the characters’ lives better. He credited Neeraj Ghaywan’s guidance for his performance, describing him as methodical and demanding. He found the on-location shooting to be beneficial, enhancing the film’s realism, though he found the highway locations particularly challenging. Khatter considers ‘Homebound’ to be the best work of his career, a film he believes is bigger than its creators, speaking to empathy in a world that seems increasingly disconnected. He explained that the character of Shoaib helped him understand how people deal with ‘othering’ and how Homebound helped him understand identity on a deeper level. He expressed his desire to expand his acting range and impact as a star, aiming to use his position to empower his beliefs.
