Filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan has pushed back against reports that the family whose real-life story inspired his film Homebound was paid just ₹10,000. In a detailed statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Neeraj said the ₹10,000 widely reported was a personal token he gave to Ram Charan — the father of Amrit, whose life partly inspired the project — during early research, and that the figure has been taken out of context.
Neeraj emphasised that the sum was a small parting gesture from years ago and does not reflect the total compensation or support the family received. “Neither I, nor the producers would ever reduce such a deeply personal story to such a pittance,” he wrote, adding that the family’s contributions are “invaluable” and have been honoured with “sincere respect and significant support.”
Homebound draws on Basharat Peer’s 2020 New York Times essay Taking Amrit Home, which chronicles the journey of two migrant friends during India’s COVID-19 lockdown. Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, the 2025 film — starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor — was released theatrically on 26 September 2025 after a global rollout. The film premiered at Cannes, screened at TIFF, earned critical attention, and was selected as India’s entry for the Best International Feature Oscar.
According to Sacnilk, Homebound has earned ₹2.9 crore worldwide so far. Neeraj’s statement aims to clarify the record and reassure that the filmmakers have treated the family’s story with the respect and material support it deserves.