Kathmandu, Dec. 10 -- 19 pandemic, we stayed inside, tried new recipes, watched shows with family and passed time with games. Those moments felt safe because our homes protected us. During the same period, thousands of migrant workers in India were walking across states, trying to reach the very safety we were taking for granted. 'Homebound' brings this truth to the screen with clarity and pain.

The film opens with a disclaimer stating that the story is fictional and intended for entertainment. Moments later, another line appears, saying that it is based on the real life of Mohammad Saiyub. This contradiction reflects the uneasy climate in Indian cinema today, where films that highlight injustice or question those in power often face cen...