SociallyHomebound: Ishaan Khatter Thanks Vishal Jethwa For Being His Friend With Behind-The-Scenes Moments

Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa sharing a behind-the-scenes moment on the set of Homebound

It was a heartwarming tribute to friendship and shared experiences. Actor Ishaan Khatter took to Instagram recently and posted behind-the-scenes pictures with his co-star Vishal Jethwa from the upcoming film Homebound. The images are candid moments from the film’s making that accentuate the lasting connection between the two actors, who became like brothers during the shoot.

Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Creation of Homebound

Marking the directorial debut of National Award-winning filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan, Homebound is an intense story that explores the dynamics of friendship, aspirations, and societal pressures.

The story revolves around two childhood friends who dream of becoming police officers in the small town of Kalpanagar.
One friend succeeds while the other is left behind, but both stand by their principles, despite having no formal guidance from study materials.
As they inch closer to achieving their dreams, cracks in their friendship start to appear, illustrating the difficulties of juggling personal relationships with professional ambitions.

Khatter captioned his Instagram post as:
“Dosti amar rahe – Shoaib aur Chandan” (May our friendship be immortal — Shoaib and Chandan).

Khatter portrays Shoaib, while Jethwa plays Chandan in the film.
The post also pays tribute to the iconic track “Yeh Dosti Hum Nahin” from the unforgettable Bollywood film Sholay, reinforcing the theme of lasting friendship.

The photos feature the trio—Khatter, Jethwa, and Ghaywan—immersed in village life during the preparations for the film in August 2024.
One special image shows them sharing a meal, capturing the authenticity and intimacy of their on-screen and off-screen friendships.

Critical Acclaim and Oscar Buzz

Homebound has made a name for itself not only due to its powerful narrative but also because it was chosen as India’s official submission for the 98th Academy Awards Best International Feature Film category.

The film received a nine-minute standing ovation at its Cannes Film Festival premiere earlier this year, highlighting the strength of its story and performances.
Khatter and Jethwa have been praised for their “immensely endearing and unpredictable” performances.
- Variety cited their on-screen chemistry as one of the movie’s highlights.
- Hindustan Times’ Santanu Das described the film as “deeply empathetic” and commended Khatter’s performance as “affecting and powerful.”

A Personal Reflection

On the eve of Homebound‘s release, Khatter reflected on the journey that led to the making of the film:

The first few days of rehearsals in August 2024 were crucial in helping him and his co-stars understand the story on a deeper, more profound level.
Strict adherence to customs around the archaic festival helped the actors connect with their characters and contemporize them, thanks to director Ghaywan.

Khatter’s heartfelt ode to his friendship with Jethwa highlights how Homebound has profoundly impacted its cast and crew. The film’s exploration of friendship and personal growth resonates deeply with audiences, and Khatter’s genuine camaraderie with Jethwa enhances their performances even further.

Looking Ahead

Homebound continues to earn praise and generate Oscar buzz, but the tender interactions between Khatter and Jethwa are a refreshing reminder that friendships—and projects—are cultivated along the way.

Their journey from co-stars to close friends mirrors the arcs in the movie itself.
The film’s true-to-life and powerful narrative ensures that Homebound is poised to make a significant impact both in India and internationally.