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Chidiya

Play trailer 2:19 Poster for Chidiya 2016 1h 50m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 4 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
A quiet tribute to the invisible battles children fight to keep their dreams alive....

Critics Reviews

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Rahul Desai The Hollywood Reporter It’s sweet, poignant, curious, not (too) performative, and despite the occasional sad-music and longing-stares melodrama, it reveals the invisible trials of big-city survival that stories are often too busy to explore. Jun 4, 2025 Full Review Dhaval Roy The Times of India Chidiya is a must-watch family fare, offering simple yet profound storytelling that warms the heart and leaves you smiling. Rated: 3.5/5 Jun 25, 2025 Full Review Rishabh Suri Hindustan Times ...Chidiya is a gentle reminder of the power of small dreams and everyday kindness. It may not roar with dramatic highs, but it speaks in a sincere voice that stays with you. Rated: 3.5/5 Jun 2, 2025 Full Review Devesh Sharma Filmfare [Chidiya] is fresh, thought provoking and strikes a blow against child labour without being preachy. It genuinely entertains as well as educates, it’s emotional but doesn’t descend into melodrama and manages to keep everything real. Rated: 4/5 May 30, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Afnan A In a cinematic world often dominated by spectacle and grandeur, Chidiya emerges like a quiet whisper—soft, soulful, and unforgettable. Directed by debutant Mehran Amrohi, this Hindi-language feature is not just a film, but a heartfelt ode to childhood, dreams, and resilience. After a long journey through international film festivals and years of delay, Chidiya finally makes its theatrical debut, and it couldn’t be more timely. Set in the heart of Mumbai's chawls, Chidiya tells the story of two young brothers, Shanu and Bua, who live with their widowed mother in a cramped one-room home. What begins as a simple tale of everyday survival soon transforms into an uplifting narrative about passion, play, and perseverance. The boys stumble upon a pair of badminton racquets in a junkyard and are instantly drawn to the sport. With no court, no coach, and no means, they create their own little world in a discarded space—transforming a junkyard into their badminton haven. There’s a profound innocence in how the film approaches its themes. The brothers’ dreams are modest by society’s standards, but immense in their own eyes. They are not aspiring to be champions or stars; they simply want to play, to belong, and to rise above their circumstances for even a fleeting moment. This raw, honest desire forms the emotional core of Chidiya. What sets the film apart is its deeply observational and poetic storytelling. Mehran Amrohi, who also wrote the film, directs with a gentle hand, allowing scenes to breathe and emotions to simmer slowly. His visual language is subtle but layered with meaning. In one scene, a broken shuttlecock floating through the air becomes a metaphor for freedom and fragility. It’s these quiet moments that give Chidiya its wings. The film is elevated by its stellar cast. Vinay Pathak brings his trademark warmth to the screen, while Amruta Subhash delivers a deeply moving performance as the mother—torn between protecting her children and letting them dream. But it’s the child actors, Svar Kamble and Ayush Pathak, who steal the show. Their natural chemistry and unaffected performances lend authenticity and charm to the film’s emotional beats. Inaamulhaq and Brijendra Kala, in supporting roles, provide both comic relief and grounded realism. Music plays a significant role in enhancing the film’s mood. The standout track, “Aye Dil Ki Nanhi Chidiya,” composed by Shailendra Barve and sung by Divya Kumar, is a lyrical tribute to childhood innocence. The song’s lyrics, penned by Amrohi himself, are evocative and steeped in poetic beauty—drawing from the filmmaker’s literary background and lineage. Despite being completed almost a decade ago, Chidiya feels surprisingly fresh. In fact, its delayed release adds a layer of poignancy—serving as a real-life reflection of the very themes the film explores: patience, struggle, and hope. It had already gained acclaim at several international festivals including Zlin IFF in the Czech Republic, Cinekid in the Netherlands, and SAIFF in the United States. These accolades speak to the film’s universal appeal and emotional resonance. Mehran Amrohi’s direction has drawn comparisons to the poetic realism of Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi. While such comparisons are flattering, Amrohi’s voice remains distinct—rooted in the social textures and emotional rhythms of urban India. He captures both the chaos and charm of Mumbai’s chawls without romanticizing poverty or dramatizing hardship. Instead, he lets the small victories of everyday life take center stage. Chidiya is not a loud film. There are no dramatic twists, no high-octane confrontations. But therein lies its power. It relies on moments of silence, glances, gestures, and the everyday poetry of life. It’s a film that nudges the viewer to pause, reflect, and smile. In an era where cinema often leans on spectacle, Chidiya is a reminder of storytelling in its purest form. It speaks of things we often forget: the joy of play, the courage to dream, and the beauty of simplicity. It’s a film for children, for parents, and for anyone who once believed in the impossible. In the end, Chidiya is exactly what its name suggests—a little bird, fragile yet fearless, flying against the wind, soaring not for the world to see, but because it must. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/17/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Chidiya

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Movie Info

Synopsis A quiet tribute to the invisible battles children fight to keep their dreams alive....
Director
Mehran Amrohi
Producer
Faqhrul Husaini, Sudhir Kolte, Vinit Rukari, Iftekhar Amrohi, Piyush Dugad, Mehran Amrohi, Aarif Khan
Screenwriter
Mehran Amrohi, Amitabh Verma, Ganesh Pandit, Ambar Hadap
Production Co
Key Media Works, Smiley Films
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Hindi
Runtime
1h 50m