Ishaan Khatter shared his delight regarding ‘Homebound’ being selected as India’s entry for the 2026 Oscars. He emphasized his strong belief in the film’s merit, regardless of his personal involvement, praising the subject matter and Neeraj Ghaywan’s direction. He expressed his hope for the film to achieve greater recognition. When questioned about his journey to this point, Khatter expressed gratitude for the encouragement he received and acknowledged the impact it had on his career. He credited the opportunity to work with Neeraj Ghaywan for allowing him to fully express his potential. He stated that Ghaywan pushed him in a similar way to how Majid Majidi did. He said he was deeply grateful for the chance to be involved in such a meaningful project.
Khatter described how he was offered the role of Shoaib and his reaction to the complex character. He received the script from Neeraj Ghaywan. He mentioned Karan Johar called him to talk about this very special film. He was drawn to the script’s relevance and quality. He felt it was an important and challenging role, where he deeply connected with the characters’ journey and friendship. Discussing his approach to playing an underprivileged character, Khatter acknowledged the privilege he has. He emphasized the film’s exploration of societal standards across various identities. He also mentioned the film’s portrayal of gender inequality. He and the cast undertook research and visited villages to gain a deeper understanding of the characters’ lives. He credited Neeraj Ghaywan for his guidance and the challenges he posed during filming. He found the on-location shooting to enhance the film’s realism, with the highway locations being particularly difficult. Khatter considered ‘Homebound’ to be the most significant work of his career, acknowledging its broader impact and how it speaks to the importance of empathy in a divided world. He highlighted how the role helped him understand societal ‘othering’ and how the film explored identity on a deeper level. He expressed his desire to continue evolving as an actor and use his position to support his beliefs.