Janhvi Kapoor thanks Neeraj Ghaywan after Best Actor win: ‘He makes me feel seen’

Janhvi Kapoor thanks Neeraj Ghaywan

Janhvi Kapoor has recently received praise for her performance in Neeraj Ghaywan's critically praised film Homebound. She has now bagged a Best Actor of the Year (Female).

The actress discussed her journey on Friday night as she took the stage at the NDTV Indian of the Year event. Janhvi also used the occasion to express gratitude to Neeraj Ghaywan for his tremendous assistance. Janhvi also acknowledged the filmmaker’s faith in her while accepting the honour.

In the acceptance speech, Janhvi said, “I’m extremely grateful to Neeraj Sir for seeing something in me that, on most days, I can’t see in myself.”

She continued talking about the director and said, “I think this man is a national treasure. He is hands down my favourite person… He makes me feel so seen, and I think that if you see this film or everything he’s made…one of the superpowers he has is that he makes people feel seen, which I think is a lost art in today’s day and age. You know what? I hope to god a part of him has been preserved.”

However, Neeraj Ghaywan took the mic and talked about Janhvi’s success. She said, “I’m feeling so happy to see Janhvi getting this award. It means a lot to me. Without you this film would have been impossible."

The director added, “Janhvi, you bring the emotional core of the film, and seeing you take this award and accept it with such grace, it’s just sheer happiness."

Janhvi also talked about the film and shared that the film deepened her understanding of human emotions.

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The actress shared, “It’s made me sensitive to the unimaginable hope and goodness in it, the beauty in it, the terror in it, the division in it, but also the unity in it." She continued, “For all of these reasons, I’m extremely grateful to be a part of this journey. Truly honoured."

Homebound also starred Ishaan Khatter and Vishal Jethwa in the lead roles. The movie debuted in the Un Certain Regard segment of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Additionally, Homebound was chosen as the Indian submission for the 98th Academy Awards' Best International Feature Film category.