‘Homebound’ team used code word ‘elder brother’ for Martin Scorsese- Why?

New Delhi: Filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan’s latest release, Homebound, has received widespread acclaim from audiences worldwide and has been chosen as India’s official contender for the 2026 Oscars. The film also benefited from the involvement of Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese, who served as its executive producer.

Scorsese, speaking at a New York screening of the film, revealed that he had been “living with the film for about three years.” He shared that his role encompassed mentoring the project from script development through to editing, emphasising why American audiences should watch it.

“I’ve been living with it for about three years. I love the audiences in America to see this picture because I know that it’s based on a real story,” Scorsese told Variety.

Ghaywan also spoke about the secrecy surrounding Scorsese’s involvement, saying that the production team had used the code word “elder brother” to keep it under wraps.

“Sitting across from you is the peak of that journey and the most meaningful moment of my cinematic journey, the highest peak of my cinematic career. This right here, sitting across from you, is the biggest reward for me,” Ghaywan added.

Homebound follows the story of two childhood friends from a small North Indian village who aspire to join the police force, a career they believe will earn them the dignity they have long been denied. As they edge closer to achieving their dream, growing desperation begins to threaten the bond that holds them together.

The film stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor in leading roles. It has previously been screened at prestigious festivals including Cannes 2025, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), and the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM).