Last week delivered a disappointing moment to Indian cinephiles when Homebound, the country’s official entry to the 98th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film, didn’t make it to the nominations list. But Shalini Vatsa, who played the grieving mother of Vishal Jethwa’s character in Neeraj Ghaywan’s directorial venture, is looking at the film’s journey through a lens far wider than the Oscars race. “Homebound’s journey is all about appreciation and acknowledgement of Indian cinema as it stands today,” said the actor. 

An adaptation of Basharat Peer’s article for The New York Times, the Ishaan Khatter and Jethwa-starrer revolves around two friends from marginalised communities who struggle to return to their village during the 2020 pandemic-induced lockdown.   
  
To Vatsa, the film’s deep emotional impact on the audience is its true measure of success. She added, “Every piece of art has its own trajectory. The life of a film increases because of OTT platforms. I’m convinced that Homebound will stand the test of time, not only in India, but also globally.”