Ishaan Khatter is now basking in huge acclaim for his recent film Homebound, a gripping social drama that has resonated with critics and viewers alike. The critically acclaimed Neeraj Ghaywan directs the film with Karan Johar as the producer, and it features Ishaan with Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor. Popular for its emotional resonance, intense performances, and engaging narrative, Homebound has received acclaim for throwing light on delicate social realities with honesty and sensitivity.
Even while the movie keeps raking up awards, Ishaan was back in the limelight for another reason — his latest cover photoshoot for a magazine. Sharing a series of bold and breathtaking pictures on Instagram, the Dhadak actor sent social media into a tizzy. The first image finds him posing fearlessly with his toned body, his hand on his neck, with a bunch of old-timey cars in the background.
The second snap finds Ishaan lounging casually on the bonnet of a white vintage car, looking stylish in an all-black outfit that is full of understated charm. His fans couldn’t help but remember his Kaali Peeli look — the actor wipes his face with a blue piece of cloth clinging to a car’s hood and radiates raw, raw energy. Another photo shows him sitting on the ground with a red retro car behind him, seamlessly mixing retro with contemporary style.
The final photo in the carousel showcases his athletic side — Ishaan hangs from a wall with one hand, wearing a sleeveless white T-shirt and blue jeans, flaunting his strength and flexibility. Captioning the post, he wrote, “Got my hands dirty.” Within minutes, fans flooded the comment section with heart emojis and witty compliments. One user wrote, “Awesome buddy,” while another quipped, “I’m filing a case. I’m about to die here.”
In spite of the acclaim, Homebound has underperformed at the box office, earning only ₹4.09 crore in 19 days, per sacnilk.com. Yet, its critical success remains robust. Having premiered at top film festivals such as Cannes and TIFF, the film has also been chosen as India’s official entry to the Oscars 2026.
Drawn from a real-life account chronicled in a New York Times op-ed during the COVID-19 lockdown, Homebound is the story of two best friends growing up in a North Indian town who dream of becoming police officers. Their journey, dogged by systemic obstacles and personal sacrifices, is a testament to the resilience and disappointments of a generation. For Ishaan, the film is yet another powerful performance that consolidates his status as one of the most promising actors of his generation.