The shortlisting of the film Homebound for the Best International Feature Film Award at the Oscars has evoked profound emotions for its actor, Vishal Jethwa, who describes the moment as one that once felt almost unreal. For Jethwa, this recognition stands as a powerful testament to the power of sincerity and unwavering belief in one's craft.
An Emotional Validation of a Dream Journey
Vishal Jethwa admits the feeling is still sinking in. He describes the nomination as incredibly emotional, noting that such milestones seem distant when one begins an acting career. "Today they stand as proof of what sincerity and belief can achieve," he states, crediting every individual associated with the project for giving their absolute best. Reflecting on the collaborative process, he highlights the invaluable experience of working under director Neeraj Ghaywan, whose compassionate approach allowed performances to emerge from a place of raw truth.
He also expresses deep gratitude towards producer Karan Johar for backing the story with conviction and for creating a platform that allows meaningful Indian cinema to transcend geographical borders. The past year, which saw Homebound travel from its showcase at the Cannes film festival to this international Oscar recognition, has been unexpectedly eventful for Jethwa, who started his journey from a challenging place, making this achievement feel nearly impossible at one point.
Quiet Confidence Over Restless Ambition
The initial disbelief has now matured into a quiet sense of confidence for the actor. "I have enough proof now that nothing is impossible," Jethwa shares, feeling inspired by his own trajectory. He counts himself lucky and blessed, acknowledging that many talented artists work hard but not all reach this platform. When asked if this Oscar exposure has opened doors to international projects, he reveals that nothing concrete has materialized yet, but he remains hopeful.
However, Jethwa is quick to clarify his aspirations. "It's not that after Homebound I aspire to become an international star. That kind of restlessness does not drive me," he explains. His greater pride lies in the possibility of taking films rooted in Indian values and stories to a global audience, earning recognition, and representing the culture authentically.
On Box Office, Co-stars, and Personal Resonance
Despite critical acclaim, Homebound did not achieve significant commercial success at the box office. Addressing this, Jethwa says he would have naturally wanted the film's important message on marginalisation and patriarchy to reach a wider audience, but he did not take on the pressure of its commercial performance. "We cannot always decipher what the audience likes or doesn't like," he remarks philosophically, stating he was not upset by the outcome.
The film's themes resonated deeply with him on a personal level. He observes that patriarchy is a pervasive issue across societies and even within marginalised communities. Jethwa credits the women in his life—his mother, aunts, sister, cousins, and grandmothers—for shaping him, a reflection of his own family having few male members. Professionally, he is thankful to actresses like Rani Mukerji, Kajol, and Shefali Shah for their support.
He also cherishes the experience of sharing the screen with co-actor Ishaan Khatter, who played his best friend in the film. "Sharing this journey with Ishaan was special," Jethwa recalls, noting that Khatter's energy and dedication pushed him to raise his own performance bar. Ultimately, the Oscar shortlist feels like a validation of the collective faith the entire team had in the project of Homebound.
