Bollywood made a triumphant return to the Cannes Film Festival with the global premiere of Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound, showcased in the prestigious Un Certain Regard section. The film, backed by a stellar team including Karan Johar, Adar Poonawalla, and Martin Scorsese as executive producer, marked a landmark moment in Indian cinema’s global outreach.

Set in rural North India, Homebound explores the unraveling bond between two childhood friends chasing their dream of joining the police force, revealing how ambition collides with oppressive systems and personal cost. Co-produced by Dharma Productions, the film is already being hailed as a poignant, globally resonant narrative.

But Homebound’s impact wasn’t limited to the screen — it dazzled on the red carpet too. Janhvi Kapoor turned heads in a custom rose-tinted Tarun Tahiliani creation, paying tribute to her late mother, Sridevi. Ishaan Khatter exuded understated charm in a Gaurav Gupta velvet suit, while Karan Johar stunned in a regal Manish Malhotra ensemble complete with emerald-studded brooches.

Natasha Poonawalla added couture gravitas in a rare Galliano for Dior archival piece, fusing high fashion with cultural consciousness. Meanwhile, newcomer Vishal Jethwa, accompanied by his mother, walked the carpet in a crystal-studded Kaushik Velendra design, making his Cannes debut a moment to remember.

With Homebound, Indian cinema has not only told a powerful story — it’s reclaimed its space on the world stage with purpose and panache.