Neeraj Ghaywan’s “Homebound” wins Best Film at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, receives global praise

Neeraj Ghaywan’s film “Homebound” has won the Best Film award at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025. The director also received the Best Director award, making it a big moment for Indian cinema on the global stage. “Homebound” stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jetwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, whose moving performances have earned much praise from both audiences and critics.

The story of “Homebound” is about feelings of belonging, identity, and homecoming. It follows characters who face challenges after being away from home for a long time, showing how difficult and emotional it can be to reconnect with home and family. These themes touched the hearts of people from many different backgrounds, making the film popular not only in India but also internationally.

The film was also chosen as the closing movie of the festival, where it received a standing ovation. Neeraj Ghaywan is well-known for telling powerful, thoughtful stories since his debut with the award-winning film “Masaan.” His latest win at IFFM shows how Indian films are gaining new respect and attention around the world, celebrating stories that connect us all as humans.