Thumbs up, by Subhash K Jha, Bolly Spice : ...Oh, I could go on. But where are the words? I have seldom seen a film where not a single frame can be removed without seriously damaging the end product. This is it.... full review

Thumbs up, by Rajiv Vijayakar, Deccan Herald : ...Neeraj Ghaywan has made this film as a catharsis in part, infusing it (as he told me) with many personal touches that question not just India, but the world at large. It is a story that can resonate from Bikaner to Boston and beyond.... full review

Thumbs up, by Devesh Sharma, Filmfare : ...Watch the film for its brutal display of reality and for the fabulous performances by Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa. Do films bring about social change? We hope Homebound does. If nothing else, it should become a conversation starter. Fingers crossed.... full review

Thumbs up, by Baradwaj Rangan, galatta.com : ...The final stretch is incredibly moving. What starts as a story about getting a job ends as a story that says education is the only way forward – and even more so when you don’t have the backing of the majority.... full review

Thumbs up, by Iqbal Pervez, Glamsham.com : ...Homebound is a story that touches the heart, connecting friendship, social struggles, career dilemmas, and personal choices. There is pin-drop silence in the theater. This means the film leaves such an impact that not a single second diverts your gaze and attention. If you enjoy realistic and emotional cinema like this, Homebound is definitely a film worth watching. I am sure that when you watch Homebound, you will emotionally connect with it. You might even find your eyes welling up.... full review

Thumbs up, by Rishabh Suri, Hindustan Times : ...Overall, Homebound is not just a film about friendship, caste, or migration. It is a reminder of humanity brought to its knees by a pandemic, and of the invisible lives that bore the heaviest weight in our country.... full review

Thumbs up, by Sana Farzeen, india today : ...That is the true triumph of Homebound: it doesn’t just make you watch; it makes you witness. And once you’ve witnessed, you can’t claim you didn’t know.... full review

Thumbs up, by Sakshi Verma, India TV : ...Technical aspects Visually, the film is striking. Pratik Shah’s cinematography creates intimate close‑ups and then pulls back to show the wide, daunting landscape of migration and movement. The framing often emphasises the absence of opportunities, of transport, of comfort, but also the presence of more comforting things like friendship, home and small acts of kindness. The sound design and score by Naren Chandavarkar and Benedict Taylor complement this quiet, respectful writing that aims to point at emotion without forcing it.... full review

Thumbs up, by Divya Shah, India-Forums : ...Homebound is not a spectacle; it is a quiet storm. Neeraj Ghaywan has crafted a work of rare compassion, one that exposes the fault lines of caste and religion while celebrating the unbreakable bonds of friendship and hope. It will move you, unsettle you and, perhaps most importantly, make you listen to voices we often fail to hear. This is than cinema. It is a reminder that empathy is not a luxury but a responsibility, and that even in the harshest times, the human spirit can still find a way home.... full review

Thumbs up, by Shubhra Gupta, indian express : ...A lone film cannot call into account centuries of systemic discrimination, and disenfranchisement, but if you have to see one film which talks of all these elephants that have gone missing from so many rooms over so many unconscionable years, make it this one.... full review

Thumbs up, by Uday Bhatia, Live Mint : ...A simple shot: the sun almost set, Shoaib and Chandan sitting on top of a truck, gazing at the road ahead with something like hope, their thoughts escaping home.... full review

Thumbs up, by Mayank Shekhar, MiD DAY : ...Which, basically means, merely one thing. That a jury, across multiple languages, deemed it the year’s best Indian film, thus far. Think, I agree.... full review

Thumbs up, by Amarylisa Gonsalves, MiD DAY : ...Homebound is definitely worth a watch, as it gives a reality check while making you reflect. The climax is certainly the cherry on the cake. Expect a few sobs around you if you’re watching this one in the cinema hall.... full review

Thumbs up, by Sameer Ahire, Movie Talkies : ...Ultimately, Homebound succeeds as a heartfelt story that mixes friendship, social struggles, career dilemmas, and personal choices into a meaningful narrative. For those who appreciate realistic cinema with emotional resonance, Homebound is well worth a watch.... full review

Thumbs up, by Radhika Sharma, NDTV : ...Here's hoping Homebound, which also has Hollywood legend Martin Scorsese attached as executive producer, brings that Oscar home.... full review

Thumbs up, by TITAS CHOWDHURY, News18.com : ...And that makes Homebound cinematically rich and a must watch... full review

Thumbs up, by Isha Sharma, NewsBytes : ...Homebound is a gripping tale of dreams and humanity, and Ghaywan's characters are soaked in extreme authenticity. Its unpredictability is another strength, and it's the kind of film you want to watch without distractions because the characters demand your unwavering attention. It may seem a bit melancholic, but then, it's this rawness that gives the film meaning and purpose. Don't miss it.... full review

Thumbs up, by DEBANJAN DHAR, Outlook India : ...Though the film’s final stretches lend a fervid, gutting showcase for the actors, they are equally tremendous in flickering snatches of few seconds.... full review

Thumbs up, by Deepa Gahlot, Rediff : ...The performances by Khatter and Jethwa are wonderfully empathetic. The fury, pain and hopelessness are expressed with a raw sincerity.... full review

Thumbs up, by Nandini Ramnath, Scroll.in : ...Vishal Jethwa isn’t always up to conveying Chandan’s angst. Ishaan Khatter is more compelling as Shoaib, expressing controlled rage and a maturity beyond his years when he is treated like dirt. As Phool, Shalini Vatsa has some moving scenes.... full review

Thumbs up, by leslie felperin, The Guardian : ...Another film-maker might have confined the story to just this last part, and focused on the young men’s many challenges as they try to make their way home to their families with curfews in place and limited transport options.... full review

Thumbs up, by Anuj Kumar, The Hindu : ...Still, Homebound is a significant document of our times when social trust seems to be in a long-term decline and is a worthy bet for the elusive Oscar.... full review

Thumbs up, by Namrata Joshi, the new Indian Express : ...Homebound gives voice to the voiceless but more significantly implicates and indicts the powerful and the privileged for the status quo. It's a film powered by vital, essential urgency of the times, and for the times.... full review

Thumbs up, by Tanmayi Savadi, Times Now : ...Homebound lacks the glamour of an entertaining film, but it hits the right emotional spots with the right pace. Not made for all, this one requires patience, time and acquired appetite to understand Neeraj’s world. A hard-hitting portrayal of the marginalised, Homebound pricks when it should rightfully. This film shall be remembered for its no-nonsense approach, clean direction and incredible performances.... full review

Thumbs up, by Renuka Vyavahare, Times of India : ...Homebound raises many questions. How did we get here? What has made us so bereft of empathy and compassion? A soul-stirring observation of a world growing cold, this is filmmaking at its finest.... full review