Our Bureau
Mumbai
Legendary American filmmaker Martin Scorsese has joined forces with acclaimed Indian director Neeraj Ghaywan as executive producer for Ghaywan’s highly anticipated second feature, Homebound. The announcement, made by Ghaywan on Saturday, has sent ripples of excitement through the international film community, coming just weeks before the film’s world premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival in the prestigious Un Certain Regard section.
Ghaywan, who first garnered global attention with his 2015 debut Masaan, expressed his disbelief and gratitude at having Scorsese-a cinematic icon known for masterpieces like Taxi Driver and Goodfellas-backing his latest project. “It is an honour beyond words… Mr. Scorsese mentored us through the screenplay and multiple rounds of editing. His kindness, commitment and thoughtful guidance have been both a rare privilege and a profoundly humbling experience,” Ghaywan shared on social media.
Scorsese, 82, praised Ghaywan’s storytelling and the cultural depth of Homebound, stating, “Neeraj has made a beautifully crafted film that’s a significant contribution to Indian cinema.” He revealed that he was introduced to the project by co-producer Melita Toscan du Plantier and was immediately captivated by its narrative.
Homebound is produced by a powerhouse team including Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, Apoorva Mehta, and Somen Mishra under the Dharma Productions banner. The film features a stellar cast led by Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor. The involvement of Scorsese has been hailed as a “career-defining moment” by the film’s cast and crew.
Johar, taking to Instagram, wrote, “Having Martin Scorsese lend his wisdom and support to Neeraj’s remarkable vision elevates our film to a rare artistic height.” Khatter called Scorsese “the North Star in the world of Cinema,” while Kapoor described his guidance as “an honour beyond words.”
With its Cannes debut imminent, Homebound is poised to become a landmark collaboration, bridging Indian and international cinema in unprecedented ways.
