Director Neeraj Ghaywan experienced a milestone moment when Martin Scorsese, the executive producer of Ghaywan’s film Homebound, hosted a screening in New York last Saturday. The event featured a QnA session with Scorsese, which Ghaywan described as the
highest point in my career in cinema.
Martin Scorsese’s Support and Warmth During QnA
Following the screening, Neeraj Ghaywan shared his excitement on Instagram, revealing how Scorsese’s generosity helped ease his nerves.
I was obviously nervous and sweating about doing a QnA with the master. Mr. Scorsese saw that in the green room. He narrated a funny anecdote about how he was mistaken by the cops to be the hillside strangler. He did that because he wanted to calm me down without even me being aware of it,
Ghaywan wrote.
That’s the generous selfless master that he is. I don’t know what future holds for this film but this right here is the biggest award for me.
Producer Somen Mishra’s Admiration for Scorsese’s Presence
Somen Mishra, producer of Homebound, also expressed his awe after meeting Scorsese. On Instagram, Mishra described the mix of emotions he felt, from nervousness to excitement, then admiration for the filmmaker’s warmth.
I came back to the hotel and searched if there’s a word that captures the expressions and emotions of meeting your cinema God, @martinscorsese… A bit of nervousness, too much excitement, pretending to be all cool, with some palpitations, wiping sweaty hands, and then within few minutes he makes the room so warm with his presence, stories, and funny anecdotes.
He continued to praise Scorsese’s close attention to Homebound, noting,
And he spoke so warmly about our film, Homebound. How much he had read, notes he had made, the edits he had seen. Came out for an event today and did the QnA with @neeraj.ghaywan I don’t know how Neeraj remained so calm,
followed by,
I mean you don’t expect cinema Gods to be so cool, so funny, so warm, so nice. Unbelievably charming.
Notable Attendees and Film Background
The screening drew notable Indian and international personalities, including director Mira Nair, television host Padma Laksmi, actor Kal Penn, and actor Siddharth. Homebound draws inspiration from journalist Basharat Peer’s 2020 New York Times article Taking Amrit Home and represents India’s official submission for the upcoming Oscars.
Significance of the Event
This QnA with Martin Scorsese marks an exceptional moment in Neeraj Ghaywan’s filmmaking career, underscoring the global recognition of Homebound. The involvement of a celebrated filmmaker like Scorsese can boost the film’s profile ahead of its Oscar journey, potentially impacting its international reception. The warmth and encouragement from cinema luminaries provide a hopeful path forward for both Ghaywan and his film as they navigate the intense and uncertain world of global cinema.
