Dilwali Diwali Review: In Netflix’s Diwali Diwali, communication and a family’s bond are tested when the son returns after three years to spend time with his family. Expecting to see his family in their new apartment, the family finds itself getting pulled in all directions after different truths come out.
The cast includes Mihir Ahuja, Manoj Pahwa, Neelu Kohli, Aurra Bhatnagar Badoni, Nimisha Sirohi, Manmeet Singh, Ashish Kaul, Bhagyesh Bhanushali, Vivek Tandon, and Shrirao Swapnil Avinash. Ritesh Menon directs the film, which is written by Ritu Mago.
Dilwali Diwali Review
A Diwali gift with a twist
The central premise of Dilwali Diwali turns a familial act of love into a family dilemma where the lack of communication in Indian families becomes obvious. The film showcases how intergenerational expectations and needs turn ordinary decisions and expectations into something more, unknowingly becoming a burden even when it’s not required. The film is a sweet and short watch that doesn’t take too long to tie everything with a nice bow, but even in the 60-minute runtime, there’s a ton of heart and reality sewn into the story’s fabric.
Ansh returns from Norway to spend time with his family during Diwali. A time that is expected to bring out all smiles turns into a race for survival when his parents rush from their ancestral home to the flat to give the illusion that they have been living there. Unfortunately, as with all secrets, it’s bound to come out soon, which creates space for the conflict to exist.
The film showcases how a fancy address is not the only way to find happiness and that moving houses isn’t just a status upgrade but also highlights leaving behind familiar faces and routines that were normal till then. It’s a sweet and nostalgic watch that will be relatable to many viewers. It explores the pain of leaving behind a home and what that might mean to different people while highlighting the pain of loved ones living far away in another country.
While the conflict makes for a warm and recognisable family drama, Dilwali Diwali does a great job of packing important and familiar issues in today’s life into its short runtime. While the topics aren’t always explored with enough depth thanks to the runtime, it still makes for a heartening watch.
The heart is in the generational gap
The story is shaped by its intergenerational relationships wherein all four members of the family have a different outlook about moving to a different home. The clash of perspectives between Ansh’s generosity and Goggi and Sukhi’s attachment to their old home makes for an interesting topic of conversation. While everyone’s living with some guilt, the story, in the end, looks at the love and care that each of the members share for one another and what they were ready to sacrifice for it.
Diwali is a festival that sees so many people returning home to celebrate with their families. The Netflix film encompasses that feeling of homecoming, with the family recognising each other’s needs and, eventually, finding a way to live happily together. It’s a nice watch, with Sukhi’s story getting the most interesting turn of events. Again, there are several topics that don’t get enough time to be explored, but even in its short runtime, it manages to leave an impression.
A cast built for an intimate family story
On that note, it’s Neelu Kohli and Manoj Pahwa who leave the biggest impression and are one of the reasons why the film leaves an impact. Despite its short runtime and its shortcomings, the two actors do a great job of not only making viewers feel right at home with their performances, but also bringing out different shades of their characters in the short 60-minute runtime. The expectations that parents have from their children and from their lives are showcased so well by the pair that it’s easy to root for the family. Mihir Ahuja, who plays Ansh, is fine, although he can come off as stiff at times.
Final Thoughts
Short films like these work on the premise of making the biggest impact in the shortest amount of time, and Dilwali Diwali leaves a smile on your face by the end, thanks mostly to Neelu Kohli and Manoj Pahwa, who are relatable and enjoyable to watch in every scene. While the film could’ve benefited from a deeper exploration of miscommunication in Indian families, I think it does the most with what it’s given. Overall, the film doesn’t overdo any of the emotions and remains relatable throughout.
Watch Dilwali Diwali on Netflix right now. Let us know your thoughts on the film in the comments below!
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