‘It is based on a true story… we met with the surviving families’: Neeraj Ghaywan on Oscar entry ‘Homebound’
Mumbai: Director Neeraj Ghaywan on Sunday said his film Homebound, India’s official entry to the Oscars, is rooted in real events and inspired by two boys who once lived in a small village.
"It is based on a true story and these 2 boys existed for real...When I write or direct, I have to make it my own...The idea has not been to snuff it with too many issues; this came organically...It is a bit dramatised from what the actual story was...I did meet with the surviving families...We went to the village and it was heartbreaking...It is my wishful thinking that I want to put out marginalised communities...The actual person is now a construction worker...All of us in the film are representing an entire society...” Ghaywan said at a press meet in Mumbai alongside actors Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa.
The film traces the bond between a Muslim boy (Khatter) and a Dalit boy (Jethwa), childhood friends who pursue a police job as a path to dignity and recognition, free from the weight of their surnames. It also stars Janhvi Kapoor in a key role.
Speaking about the social commentary embedded in the story, Jethwa said the film tackles a crucial issue: language and class.
“In India, those who don't know how to speak English face this challenge. We feel left out when we are put in the spot where one needs to speak in fluent English, we feel scared because people judge you by your class. If you can speak English well, then you belong to a certain class and if you speak in Hindi, you are looked at with a certain perspective even though you may be equally talented or deserving. But due to your language you are judged differently.”
The actor also recalled his personal struggles. “I'm not like this (who could speak fluent English), I didn't have that upbringing and life experiences. My parents could not afford good education for me but did whatever they could and it's because of that I'm sitting here. If I would have been a cool dude and classy, then maybe I wouldn't have been part of this film, or our film would not have gone to the Oscars.”
Ghaywan, turning to his actor, reassured him: “In reality whatever you're from within, that is what you’re and that is why we chose you and we will never leave that.”
The film, which has been garnering love globally, is set to release in India on September 26. It has legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese as an executive producer.