It’s not easy for Martin Scorsese to provide compliments. His voice is full with cinematic expertise from decades of experience, and when he talks about a movie, people pay attention. That is what made his love for Neeraj Ghaywan’s “Homebound” feel both like a part of history and so personal. At a private screening in New York, the famous American director talked candidly about how much he loved the movie. He said he saw it many times and felt its emotional force over the years. Scorsese is not merely an observer, which made this occasion much more extraordinary. As an executive producer, he has been very involved with the project and has seen it grow from the script stage to being recognized around the world as India’s official submission for the Oscars.
Earlier this month, Scorsese, Neeraj Ghaywan, and the film’s main performers, Vishal Jethwa and Ishaan Khatter, all attended a small screening. It was a meeting of respect, adoration, and quiet pride. A short video released by the film’s production crew showed Scorsese talking with the warmth of someone who had really connected with the idea. He remarked, “We worked on the movie, and I loved it. I told your actors that I had seen it so many times after reading the script.” I was working on “Killers of the Flower Moon,” which was a long movie, and I was really into it. It was really human of him to see how two very distinct storylines were going on at the same time. One was a huge Hollywood movie, while the other was an Indian movie about love and closeness. He talked about both of them with the same respect.
Scorsese also said that it was very important to him that the movie had finally been seen by American viewers. “But I remember this because I read the script, so in a way I’ve been living with it for three years. Honestly, I’m happy that it’s here.” I love that people in the US can see this movie. For a filmmaker who has spent his whole life promoting world cinema, this was more than a polite comment. Scorsese has always thought that good stories can be told anywhere. His support for “Homebound” shows that he recognizes the same realness in Neeraj Ghaywan as he used to perceive in great international filmmakers like Satyajit Ray.
The emotional geography of the movie is what Scorsese likes most about it. The movie “Homebound” doesn’t rely on big events. It progresses through quieter times, through the unspoken truths of friendship, dignity, and belonging. The fact that the movie was nominated as India’s entry to the Oscars feels like a sign of both its skill and its emotional bravery. A lot of Indian movies have tried to get attention from people throughout the world by being big and flashy, but “Homebound” does something different. It makes room for tenderness and truth, and the characters stay with you long after the credits roll.
Neeraj Ghaywan is already well-known around the world. His earlier work, such as the critically acclaimed “Masaan,” showed that he was a filmmaker who wasn’t hesitant to show deep emotions and think about social issues. But “Homebound” feels like a new chapter for him, one in which he goes from being an up-and-coming star to a voice that will shape the future of Indian cinema. In that way, Scorsese’s backing isn’t just because he likes the individual. It is a way of confirming that “Homebound” is part of the bigger discourse about movies today.
For Indian audiences, witnessing Vishal Jethwa and Ishaan Khatter stand next to Scorsese is more than just a celebrity moment. It shows that people throughout the world are starting to see new-age Indian actors in a different light. Their participation in a movie that avoids cliches and focuses on nuanced human connection displays a level of maturity that overseas audiences frequently look for but don’t find in mainstream Indian stories. When Scorsese talked to them directly and said how many times he had seen their work in the movie, you could feel the emotion in the room.
What makes Scorsese’s comments so interesting is how easily he talks about craft and connection. There is no feeling of being pushed to compliment. Instead, his remarks reflect how someone who has lived in stories all their life thinks. When he says he spent years “living with” the script, it says something very personal about how filmmakers take in stories. It also gives a hint about the kind of dedication it takes to make a movie like “Homebound.” This dedication spans countries, from writing the script to showing it in theaters in New York.
The movie’s release in the US also starts crucial cultural conversations. Big musicals or sweeping epics are typically used to show Indian cinema to people throughout the world. “Homebound” shows a different side of things, one that is defined by stillness, emotional depth, and everyday human problems. It encourages American viewers to look past preconceptions and get involved with a story that has universal feelings through characters from different cultures. Scorsese’s support will definitely make more people want to see the movie and respect it.
Scorsese’s use of dignity and friendship as the main themes of the story is also very poetic. These ideas are universal and will always be important, but they feel more important right now. In a world when people often feel cut off from their own communities, a movie like “Homebound” is more than just a movie. It serves as a reminder of what connects us all. Scorsese’s love for the movie is almost like the movie’s own message: that tales go deeper when they are shared, and that art gets stronger when it is seen and felt by many people.
As the Oscar race begins, “Homebound” is in an unusual position: it is based on Indian reality yet has support from throughout the world. The future is always uncertain for international submissions, but the movie has already done something important. One of the best directors of all time has watched it several times and really liked it. That’s an honor that no list of awards can compare to.
There is a calm, beautiful assurance around the movie now that comes from real admiration, not from commercial hype. “Homebound” is already a part of a bigger cinematic memory, win or lose. Scorsese’s words make it last. His adoration isn’t a sign of approval; it’s a sign of respect. It’s the kind of respect that brings together storytellers from different sectors, cultures, and generations.
