Chidiya review: A benevolent flight of childhood dreams and unyielding hope that inspires you!

Written and directed by Mehran Amrohi, Chidiya, the internationally acclaimed, slice-of-life film hit theaters today after a wait of ten long years! 

Raised on books and animated shows brimming with goodness and positivity, I get easily affected when I am often shown that the world isn’t as kind as I was once made to believe. The avalanche of heart-breaking visuals or news pieces coming from different corners of the planet add to my misery, leaving me disappointed with humans and the systems they have created. Hence, in these times of despair, I love being reminded that there is still an abundance of hope and humanity left in the world - a silver lining. And people with good intentions who do their best with whatever little they have to support the disadvantaged. 

Mehran Amrohi’s Chidiya, though bittersweet, is one such beautiful reminder. It's a story of two young brothers Shanu and Bua whose simple dreams often clash with the harsh realities of their lives and how their resilience, indomitable spirit, and the support of their community finally turn the tides in their favor. Despite having watched the film yesterday, my emotions are still raw, my eyes moist, and my heart in complete awe of this gorgeous slice-of-life drama that has inspired me to find joy in the smallest moments and hope in the most unlikely places. 

The film opens on a light note where Shanu (Svar Kamble) and Bua’s (Ayush Pathak) innocent banters bring a sense of warmth and comfort to your heart, however, you are then slowly launched into the harsh realities of their life in a Mumbai chawl where they live with their widowed mother Vaishnavi  (Amruta Subhash). A visit to a film set with their uncle Bali (Vinay Pathak) draws them to the sport of badminton and playing the game at all costs becomes the mission of their current lives. The duo’s sharp wits and kindness of those they seek help from, enables them to source almost everything required to play, however, circumstances back home prove to be a deterrent as they are forced to work to make ends meet. 

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Watch the trailer here!

Amrohi’s biggest win in the film is keeping it light-hearted and full of positivity. Despite exploring themes of poverty and loss, Chidiya never feels intense or heavy. Instead, it comes across as a celebration of joy in scarcity. The chawl too is spirited and the people supportive, be it the physically disabled and quirky tailor Taj (Inaamulhaq) or the thoughtful tea-seller Suraj (Brijendra Kala), both rally behind Shanu and Bua in their times of need. This sense of community is another element that makes the film so uplifting. I found myself laughing through tears each time the boys would try to crack a deal with their innocent audacity and poor negotiating skills to arrange for their beloved sport and I was charmed by how nobody could turn them down.  

Every performance in this film is so heartfelt and authentic that it makes you feel that the cast and crew surrendered themselves to the cause of Chidiya and were aware of the magic the film would create on the big screen. The child actors do their jobs brilliantly, essaying the innocence, mischief, and also the sense of responsibility they are entangled in at a tender age. Their show-stealing performance makes you laugh, cry, and feel sorry for the simple joys of childhood they have been deprived of by their cruel fate.  

Amruta Subhash’s heartrending portrayal of the boys’ widowed mother is the heart of the film. Her measured performance as a mother who puts on a brave front for the world but feels vulnerable on the inside will also move you to tears. The unspoken guilt, love, and quiet strength in the scenes where she tries to convince Shanu and Bua to accept the job as spot boys alongside their uncle and the one when she is given their first salary stood out for me and served as a reminder to why she is considered as one of the best actresses in the country right now. Vinay Pathak, as uncle Bali, brings a perfect blend of humor and heart that elevates the film with his understated charm.

Overall, Chidiya is a precious ode to childhood dreams and unyielding hope that will touch your heart in a way a film rarely does, at least in the recent past. Watching it is as comforting as having a bowl of piping hot broth when you are down with a cold on a rainy evening. Unfortunately, Amrohi struggled for ten years to get this film a theatrical release but as his labor of love reaches out to people today, I’m sure the writer-director will be billed as the modern-day master of realistic cinema, someone who belongs in the same league as Vittorio de Sica, Satyajit Ray or Shyam Benegal.  

Chidiya is now playing in theaters near you!