Vishal Jethwa has steadily carved a space for himself as one of the most versatile actors of his generation. He moved audiences with the emotional depth of Homebound and, in stark contrast, sent chills down spines with his unsettling performance in Mardaani 2. While his latest film Homebound, co-starring Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor, failed to make it to the Oscars 2026 nominations in the International Feature Film category, the actor's personal journey to this point tells a far more powerful story.
Vishal Jethwa's journey to global recognition
In a recent conversation with Humans of Bombay, Vishal opened up about where it all began. He shared that his journey started in a small Gujarati medium school, where academics were important but his heart lay in extracurricular activities. Describing himself as mischievous yet curious, he said he grew up in a home rich in affection, even if budget was tight. According to the actor, their financial limitations never stopped his parents from encouraging his dreams; in fact, their emotional support became his strongest foundation.
His first steps towards performance came in Class 9, when seniors helped him land a chance as a background dancer on a reality show. Until then, he had only performed at school annual functions. Seeing himself on television for the first time, Vishal recalled, felt nothing short of magical. What began as a passion soon turned into a necessity after tragedy struck early in his life.
Vishal lost his father when he was just 13 years old, a moment that forced him to grow up overnight. He recalled being told repeatedly that he was now the eldest son and had to shoulder responsibility. His mother worked as a domestic help, and despite long, exhausting days, she never let her struggles show. Vishal said watching her strength pushed him to stay focused and move forward, even when he felt emotionally numb.
Alongside school, he joined acting classes under Shoaib Khan, determined not to miss a single session. He remembered one particularly difficult day when heavy rains flooded the streets. Still, he cycled and walked through waist-deep water to reach class, soaking wet but unwilling to give up. That discipline soon paid off. Vishal began auditioning actively and landed the role of young Akbar in Maharana Pratap, which opened doors to the film industry.
Vishal gave Homebound audition with a broken leg
His audition for Mardaani 2 marked another turning point. Vishal admitted he was so nervous that he blanked initially, but somehow managed to pull through. That role changed his career. However, his biggest test came with Homebound. Just before the audition, he suffered a leg injury and required stitches.
Still, he went ahead with the audition, climbing the stairs of Dharma Productions on one leg. After a chemistry test with Ishaan Khatter and months of waiting, the call finally came. Vishal said he ran home to tell his mother, and the two cried together.
Directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan, Homebound gave Vishal a rare opportunity to explore vulnerability. He shared that the strong bond seen on screen was built through long conversations with Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor, where they spoke openly about fears and personal struggles.
Vishal Jethwa's journey to global recognition
In a recent conversation with Humans of Bombay, Vishal opened up about where it all began. He shared that his journey started in a small Gujarati medium school, where academics were important but his heart lay in extracurricular activities. Describing himself as mischievous yet curious, he said he grew up in a home rich in affection, even if budget was tight. According to the actor, their financial limitations never stopped his parents from encouraging his dreams; in fact, their emotional support became his strongest foundation.His first steps towards performance came in Class 9, when seniors helped him land a chance as a background dancer on a reality show. Until then, he had only performed at school annual functions. Seeing himself on television for the first time, Vishal recalled, felt nothing short of magical. What began as a passion soon turned into a necessity after tragedy struck early in his life.
Vishal lost his father when he was just 13 years old, a moment that forced him to grow up overnight. He recalled being told repeatedly that he was now the eldest son and had to shoulder responsibility. His mother worked as a domestic help, and despite long, exhausting days, she never let her struggles show. Vishal said watching her strength pushed him to stay focused and move forward, even when he felt emotionally numb.
Alongside school, he joined acting classes under Shoaib Khan, determined not to miss a single session. He remembered one particularly difficult day when heavy rains flooded the streets. Still, he cycled and walked through waist-deep water to reach class, soaking wet but unwilling to give up. That discipline soon paid off. Vishal began auditioning actively and landed the role of young Akbar in Maharana Pratap, which opened doors to the film industry.
Vishal gave Homebound audition with a broken leg
His audition for Mardaani 2 marked another turning point. Vishal admitted he was so nervous that he blanked initially, but somehow managed to pull through. That role changed his career. However, his biggest test came with Homebound. Just before the audition, he suffered a leg injury and required stitches. Still, he went ahead with the audition, climbing the stairs of Dharma Productions on one leg. After a chemistry test with Ishaan Khatter and months of waiting, the call finally came. Vishal said he ran home to tell his mother, and the two cried together.
Directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan, Homebound gave Vishal a rare opportunity to explore vulnerability. He shared that the strong bond seen on screen was built through long conversations with Ishaan Khatter and Janhvi Kapoor, where they spoke openly about fears and personal struggles.