Karan Johar has once again shaken the perception of mainstream Bollywood by backing Homebound, a film that recently received a thunderous 9-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival. Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan and starring Janhvi Kapoor, Ishaan Khatter, and Vishal Jethwa, the film marks a bold step away from the typical Dharma Productions template.
In a candid conversation, Johar told Team Movified that he’s “frustrated” by the industry’s tendency to typecast him. “I don’t know why we get slotted,” he said, pointing to past boundary-pushing projects like Ajeeb Daastaans, Geeli Pucchi, Kapoor & Sons, and Kill—films that showcase Dharma’s evolving cinematic vision.
Johar emphasized that he chooses projects that challenge norms and expand Dharma’s identity, saying, “There are only two things I can say. One is Neeraj. The other is Ghaywan. He had me at hello.”
Ishaan Khatter also expressed his pride in being part of Homebound, calling the project a dream nurtured by passion and truth. He praised Ghaywan’s direction and revealed that the experience has been one of the most personal and powerful of his career, especially as the film debuted on a global stage like Cannes.