Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound has landed in legal trouble days after making the Oscars shortlist, after an author alleged plagiarism, filing a formal complaint against the film and its makers.
Just days after earning a spot on the Oscars shortlist, filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound has found itself at the centre of a legal controversy, with an author alleging that the film plagiarises elements from his literary work.
Complaint filed against the team of Homebound
A formal complaint has been filed by journalist and author Puja Changoiwala, claiming that Homebound borrows heavily from a previously published story without authorisation or credit. In an email to Hindustan Times, the author has reportedly sought legal recourse, alleging similarities in narrative structure, themes, and character arcs between the film and his work.
She wrote in the mail that “the subject of both (her novel and the film) is the COVID-19 migrant exodus of 2020.” She also alleged, “Upon watching the film, I discovered that the producers have not only misappropriated the title of my book, but have also blatantly reproduced substantial portions of my novel in the second half of the film, including its scenes, dialogue, narrative structure, sequence of events, and other creative expressions.”
After Puja watched the film, her lawyer issued a legal notice to Dharma Productions on October 15, “providing a detailed, scene-by-scene account of their infringement of (her) rights.” The author claims that the producers “refused to acknowledge the violation” in their replies.
Directed by Ghaywan and backed by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions,
_Homebound_ had been widely praised for its storytelling and social commentary, making the plagiarism claim particularly significant.
Sources indicate that the legal notice names both the director and the production team. The makers of Homebound have not issued an official response yet. A spokesperson of the production team told Hindustan Times, “We are responding to the claim legally and cannot comment anything right now.”
All about Homebound
Homebound is a 2025 Hindi drama written and directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, marking his return to feature filmmaking after a decade. The film is produced by Dharma Productions. The film featured Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor in pivotal roles. Additionally, Hollywood legend Martin Scorsese served as an executive producer, contributing creative guidance to the project.
_Homebound_ has earned critical acclaim on the international stage, having screened at prestigious festivals such as Cannes and TIFF, and was selected as India’s official entry for the 98th Academy Awards’ Best International Feature Film category.
The film tells a deeply human story rooted in friendship, hope and resilience against the backdrop of modern India’s social realities. The narrative follows two childhood friends, Chandan (Vishal Jethwa) and Mohammad Shoaib Ali (Ishaan Khatter), who come from a small North Indian village and share a dream of becoming police officers, a path they believe will bring dignity and a better life for themselves and their families. As they prepare for the gruelling national police exam and navigate caste and religious pressures, their bond is tested by systemic discrimination, poverty, and the emotional toll of life’s uncertainties, making their journey one of both personal struggle and quiet triumph.
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