In May 2025, Indian filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan made history at the Cannes Film Festival. His latest feature, Homebound, received a breathtaking 9 minute standing ovation, an emotional tribute that marked his triumphant return to the global stage. Known for his storytelling and deep-rooted narratives, Neeraj brought to Cannes a film of a powerful reflection of selfhood. 

With lead performances by Vishal Jethwa and Ishaan Khatter, Homebound echoed themes of belonging and memory. As the Cannes crowd stood united in applause, Neeraj stood tall as a voice that could no longer be ignored.

A Filmography of Social Reflection

Before Homebound, Neeraj Ghaywan had already made waves with films that challenged the status quo. His debut, Masaan, was a poetic tale of loss and liberation set on the ghats of Varanasi. With Geeli Pucchi, a short film in the anthology Ajeeb Dastaan, he portrayed the layered life of a queer Dalit woman navigating discrimination. 

In the series Made in Heaven, Neeraj added episodes that shook the surface glamour to explore caste identity within elite spaces. Each project he touched was rooted in truth because for Neeraj, filmmaking is not just about art, it’s a moral duty to humanise the unheard.

Reclaiming the Name Neeraj Ghaywan

Born a Dalit in Hyderabad, Neeraj spent years concealing his caste identity to fit in. He changed his surname to “Kumar,” stayed silent when questioned, and shrank into the background of spaces that weren’t built to welcome him. Even those closest to him, including collaborators, never knew his truth. 

The success of Masaan was a turning point. With visibility came the strength to own his story, not just publicly, but personally. His films began to carry fragments of this lived experience, turning silence into cinema. In choosing to speak up, Neeraj gave countless others the courage to no longer hide.

When India Stands Tall at Cannes

Recognition at Cannes is more than just cinematic validation, it’s a declaration that Indian stories, especially those from the grassroots, have a place on the world stage. Homebound’s nine-minute ovation was for the generations who never saw themselves on screen.

For an Indian film, especially one backed by a global icon like Martin Scorsese, to receive such a response is a shift in global storytelling. Neeraj Ghaywan’s presence at Cannes was a moment of collective pride, rewriting what it means to be seen, heard, and celebrated.