Neeraj Ghaywan Thanks 'Homebound' Team After Cannes Premiere, Omits DoP Pratik Shah Amid Abuse Allegations

Filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan recently expressed heartfelt gratitude to the cast and crew of his latest film Homebound following its premiere at the prestigious 2025 Cannes Film Festival. However, what drew significant public attention was the conspicuous omission of the film’s Director of Photography (DoP), Pratik Shah, from his thank-you message. The absence comes in the context of serious abuse allegations that have recently surfaced against Shah, which remain unaddressed publicly by him.

Homebound, directed by Ghaywan and produced under the Dharma Productions banner, is inspired by the article Taking Amrit Home written by journalist Basharat Peer. The film features performances by Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vishal Jethwa, and was selected for the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes—an honor that marked a proud moment for the Indian film industry on the global stage.

Following the screening, Ghaywan took to social media to share his journey and the collaborative efforts behind Homebound. He thanked writer Basharat Peer for the original article that inspired the film, producer Somen Mishra for greenlighting the project, and other essential contributors such as screenplay consultant Sumit Roy, dialogue writer Varun Grover, dialect coach Shreedhar Dubey, and editor Nitin Baid. He also noted that he personally wrote the screenplay for the film, underlining the project’s deeply personal connection for him.

However, what stood out was the lack of any mention of cinematographer Pratik Shah, who worked on the visual aspects of the film. Shah’s name has been recently tied to allegations of abuse and misconduct made by multiple women on social media platforms. Amid the growing outrage, Shah deleted his Instagram account and has not issued any formal response to the accusations.

Dharma Productions, in an official statement, clarified that Shah was hired as a freelancer for a limited period during the making of Homebound. The production house also stated that its internal complaints committee had not received any grievances against Shah during his time on the project.

Though Ghaywan has not directly commented on the allegations against Pratik Shah, many observers believe that his omission of Shah’s name from the credits may have been a silent statement in support of those who came forward with their experiences. This quiet yet firm distancing aligns with Ghaywan’s previous public stances on social justice and ethical responsibility within the film industry.

As the debate over ethics, accountability, and acknowledgment continues to grow within the entertainment world, Ghaywan’s actions are being viewed by some as an example of how filmmakers can take a stand—even without explicit commentary. The incident underscores the growing demand for integrity and responsibility behind the scenes, not just in the stories being told on screen.

With Homebound receiving critical acclaim and raising important questions both on and off the screen, it remains to be seen how the industry at large will respond to the ongoing conversation around accountability and inclusion.