Neeraj Ghaywan(I)

Neeraj Ghaywan is an award-winning Indian filmmaker whose work has been recognised globally for its emotional fervour and powerful socio-political themes. His debut feature, Masaan, premiered at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section, where it won both the FIPRESCI Prize and the Promising Future Award. The film went on to play at over 30 international festivals and is considered a modern Indian classic. Since then, Neeraj has built a distinct body of work across film and long-form streaming, often centering his narratives around caste, class, gender, and identity. In 2022, he was featured in Variety's 'International Directors to Watch' and continues to be one of the few Indian filmmakers whose work has both critical acclaim and cultural impact across borders. He is also among the most visible voices in Indian cinema speaking about identity and the politics of representation in mainstream media. With Homebound, Executive Produced by Martin Scorsese, Neeraj made a long-awaited return to the Cannes Film Festival in 2025, resenting a deeply personal and emotionally resonant film in the Un Certain Regard category. Marked by his trademark use of performance and silence, the film offers a quiet reckoning that has become distinctly his. Following its Cannes premiere, Homebound also screened at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, where it was voted the second runner-up for the International People's Choice Awards. Homebound is India's official entry to the 2026 Academy Awards.