Ershadi’s international career began to flourish in 2007, when he played a key role in The Kite Runner, directed by Marc Forster and based on Khaled Hosseini’s bestselling novel. His portrayal of Baba, a proud and principled Afghan father, earned him international acclaim. The Los Angeles Times highlighted the natural quality of his performance, quoting Marc Forster as saying, “Many actors rely on their technique, but Homayoun relies on his heart.” His work in the film was described by critics as both dignified and deeply moving. Building on his success, Ershadi went on to appear in several high-profile international productions.
In 2009, he played the role of Aspasius in Agora, directed by Spanish filmmaker Alejandro Amenábar — a historical epic set in ancient Alexandria. The film’s success helped solidify his standing as actor capable of working fluently in major international cinema. In 2012, he made a brief but notable appearance in Kathryn Bigelow’s Zero Dark Thirty, the Oscar-winning film about the hunt for Osama bin Laden. Two years later, in 2014, he joined the cast of A Most Wanted Man, a spy thriller directed by Anton Corbijn. Acting alongside Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rachel McAdams, and Willem Dafoe, Ershadi played Dr. Abdullah, a character that added depth and authenticity to the story.
