'Homebound' Ending Explained, Will 'Chandan' And 'Shoaib' Come Back Home Safely Amid Pandemic?

Neeraj Ghaywan’s directorial, Homebound, has gained a lot of limelight due to its unique storytelling and stellar performances. The film has also secured its place in the 2026 Oscars nominations. The movie is all about a friendship between two young men, 'Chandan' (played by Vishal Jethwa) and 'Shoaib' (Ishaan Khatter). The film also features Janhvi Kapoor, who portrayed 'Sudha', 'Chandan's' love interest. For the unversed, Homebound was released on September 26, 2025. Now that the film has hit the big screens, here comes the details about its ending.

Homebound: A tale of friendship, dreams, and survival

Neeraj Ghaywan’s directorial Homebound is an emotional social drama that features the fragile dreams of India’s marginalised youth. The story revolves around 'Chandan', who is a Dalit, and 'Shoaib', who is a Muslim, where the duo shares the same struggles of caste, religion, and poverty. Due to their financial constraints, the two are also treated poorly by society. So, both 'Chandan' and 'Shoaib' dream of joining the police force as constables, because they believe that the uniform will bring them respect and stability.

'Chandan' and 'Shoaib' appear for the police recruitment exam, hoping it will change their lives. Meanwhile, 'Chandan' falls for 'Sudha', whom he met in the crowd of the railway station, while he and 'Shoaib' were going to the examination centre. However, the results get delayed due to a court say. The duo struggled hard to support their families. 'Shoaib' has taken up responsibilities by working in a water purifier company, where he faces everyday discrimination. After months of waiting, the exam results are finally declared. 'Chandan' gets selected, while 'Shoaib' gets rejected, which creates a rift in their friendship out of jealousy.

'Chandan' chooses the career to join the police force, and 'Shoaib', who has an ailing father at home, risks everything to fund his father’s treatment and becomes a salesman. However, destiny had some other plans for the duo. As the appointments get stalled indefinitely, 'Chandan' takes up work in a Surat mill. Meanwhile, 'Shoaib' too has left his job due to communal prejudice. Later, he too joins the same mill in Surat, where 'Chandan' was working. The friendship between the two was rekindled, and they started working together. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic strikes, exacerbating the situation for the duo. 'Shoaib' and 'Chandan' struggled hard to come back home.

What happens at the end of the film, Homebound

The heartbreaking moment unfolds on their way back home from Surat. 'Chandan' becomes seriously ill, most likely due to COVID-19. With fever, he started hallucinating and became weaker. Due to hallucination, 'Chandan' also mistakes a village girl as his mother, as she had sore feet. 'Shoaib' tried his best to take care of 'Chandan' and also called the doctor. He encourages 'Chandan' by talking about biryani and homecoming, but he dies in his arms. 'Shoaib' returns 'Chandan's' body to his family and hands his mother a pair of sandals, fulfilling his friend’s last wish. Later, 'Chandan's' family completes their long-dreamed brick house as a tribute to him.

In a tragic turn of events, the long-awaited police appointment letter finally arrives for 'Chandan'. Inspired by his friend’s struggle, 'Shoaib' decides to pursue higher education. The film ends with him sitting alone at their usual riverside adda as a dove lands on the rock nearby, symbolising hope, peace, and the resilience to dream again.

What are your thoughts on the movie's ending, Homebound? Let us know.

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