Vishal Jethwa made his debut at the Cannes Film Festival with the team of his film Homebound . For him, this wasn’t just a professional milestone — it was a personal triumph rooted in humble beginnings, dreams, and unwavering determination. He shares, “When Neeraj Ghaywan sir told me our film was selected, I was happy but didn’t grasp how big it was. After reading up, I understood its value — and it boosted my confidence as an actor.”
He reflects, “My dream was as simple as standing outside the Yash Raj Films (YRF) gate just to see what it looked like. Today, I’m part of a Karan Johar film directed by someone as brilliant as Neeraj Ghaywan sir. Attending Cannes with Homebound is a massive moment in my life.”
However, what made the experience even more special was his mother. He says, “I was nervous and excited because I fulfilled another long-held dream — travelling internationally with my mother. She attended the screening of my film here with me.”
Vishal, who rose to fame with Mardaani 2 (2019), says this international recognition feels like a validation. He shares, “My debut was successful, but some of my later films didn’t perform well at the box office. This film, however, has brought me to an international platform. It feels like proof that I’m not a one-film wonder — that I’m here to stay and meant for good things. People will now know that Vishal Jethwa exists — and belongs.”
He adds, “I’m not just going as an actor, but as a representative of India. I hope people get to know more about our culture, our values, and what Indian cinema truly stands for. This is an honour — but also a huge responsibility.”
Vishal hopes his journey serves as inspiration for aspiring actors from non-industry backgrounds. “This moment wasn’t just mine — it belonged to every actor who stands in long audition lines, believing that you need connections or a film family to make it. I want to break that myth. If I can make it here, so can you,” he signs off.