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Homebound: Cannes Hit and India's Oscar Hopeful

9/27/2025

39 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Homebound earned a Cannes standing ovation and was selected as India’s Oscar entry.
Produced by Dharma Productions, it follows two men from marginalized communities during the pandemic.
Executive producer Martin Scorsese provided substantial feedback, refining the narrative and trimming a romance subplot.
The Indian Censor Board mandated 11 cuts affecting caste dialogue; worldwide release set for September 26, then Netflix.

History

Historical Context

India's cinematic exploration of social issues began with "Mother India," its first Oscar submission in 1951, which addressed caste struggles and the resilience of rural women. This legacy continues with "Homebound," a 2025 film that highlights marginalized communities and faced censorship from the Indian Censor Board. Both films reflect ongoing dialogues about caste and representation in Indian cinema.

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Story summary

Homebound earned a Cannes standing ovation and was selected as India’s Oscar entry.
Produced by Dharma Productions, it follows two men from marginalized communities during the pandemic.
Executive producer Martin Scorsese provided substantial feedback, refining the narrative and trimming a romance subplot.
The Indian Censor Board mandated 11 cuts affecting caste dialogue; worldwide release set for September 26, then Netflix.

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