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'Homebound' Stumbles at Box Office Despite Oscar Buzz
27 Sep, 2025
Summary
- 'Homebound' collected only ₹30 lakh on opening day
- Underperformed compared to stars' previous films
- Received standing ovation at Cannes, Toronto festivals
Neeraj Ghaywan's 'Homebound', India's official entry for the Oscars 2026 in the Best International Feature category, has had a modest start at the domestic box office. Despite the prestige of its selection and international acclaim, the film managed to collect only ₹30 lakh nett on its opening day, according to early estimates.
The film, starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, fell far short of expectations when compared to the stars' earlier films. Ishaan's 'Dhadak' had opened at ₹8.71 crore, while his 'Phone Bhoot' earned ₹2.05 crore on day one. Vishal's 'Salaam Venky' had also posted higher opening numbers with ₹45 lakh on release day.
However, the film's power lies in its ability to resonate with international audiences. It received a nine-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival, where it had its world premiere, and was later showcased at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it picked up accolades. As co-writer Sumit Roy said, the film's true test is not abroad, but in the conversations it sparks among Indian audiences.
