Vishal Jethwa Opens Up About Feeling Like A ‘Misfit' In Bollywood
Vishal Jethwa was recently present at the Cannes Film Festival 2025 for the world premiere of his film Homebound.
Vishal Jethwa, who rose to fame with the Rani Mukherji-starrer Mardaani 2, is gearing up for his upcoming film Homebound. Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, the film had its world premiere at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, where it received a remarkable 9-minute standing ovation. Vishal shared the screen with Janhvi Kapoor and Ishaan Khatter, playing the role of Chandan. During his Cannes appearance, he opened up about his roller-coaster-like journey in Bollywood, sharing his experiences and insights.
In an interview at the Cannes Film Festival, Vishal got candid about his journey in showbiz. The actor revealed how even after receiving praise with Mardaani 2, he feels 'misfit' in the industry. Vishal stated, 'Everyone believes that I started my journey from 2019. (But) I started as a background dancer and did television for 10 years. After that, people in Bollywood got to know that I made a debut."
Recalling the challenges he faced after Mardaani 2, he added, 'But this world is very new to me. Sometimes, I actually feel that I don't belong to Bollywood. Apart from being an actor, if you see my value system and my lifestyle, I feel I am a misfit."
The 30-year-old actor further revealed, 'My journey, until here, has been full of ups and downs. I didn't have the privilege of taking a break without work. Right after I did Mardaani 2, there was a lockdown. I had to sit at home for a long time. I couldn't choose anything. Tab tak, I didn't have the privilege of choosing and selecting things. This phase was full of ups and downs."
Shedding light on Homebound, the film follows an emotional tale of two childhood friends from a small North Indian village who chase a police job that promises them the dignity they've long been denied. But as they inch closer to their dream, mounting desperation threatens the bond that holds them together.
The film received a 9-minute-long standing ovation at the festival after its premiere. Neeraj Ghaywan and Karan Johar expressed their gratitude for the warm reception to the film.
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