26 October,2026 01:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Dilwali Diwali. Pic via Instagram
Netflix is bringing a family reunion to screens this festive season with Dilwali Diwali, a heartwarming film exploring the meaning of home, family expectations and generational differences. Starring Mihir Ahuja, Manoj Pahwa, Neelu Kohli and Aurra Bhatnagar, the film will premiere on November 5.
Produced by Terribly Tiny Tales (TTT), the film continues its association with Netflix following Greater Kalesh and Musafir Cafe. Written by Ritu Mago and directed by Ritesh Menon, Dilwali Diwali explores how the desire to give loved ones a better life can sometimes clash with their idea of happiness.
The story follows Ansh Sikka, played by Mihir Ahuja, who has spent years working abroad to provide his middle-class Punjabi parents with a more comfortable life. He buys them a swanky apartment in a high-rise building, hoping to give them an upgrade. However, when he returns home for Diwali, he realises that moving into a better house does not necessarily mean feeling at home.
As the Sikkas reunite for the festival, their contrasting ideas of success and happiness lead to moments of humour, emotional exchanges and familiar family tensions. Speaking about his character, Mihir Ahuja said Ansh's journey stems from his love for his family and his desire to provide them with the best.
"Ansh's journey in Dilwali Diwali comes from a place of love. I think that's what makes the story so relatable. We all want to do the best for our families, but sometimes, in trying to give them more, we forget to understand what truly makes them happy," the actor said.
He added that TTT captured these nuances "with humour and heart", and expressed excitement about audiences watching the film and recognising aspects of their own families in the Sikkas. Manoj Pahwa, who plays Ansh's father, highlighted how a home means more than its physical structure.
"For a parent, home is never just about the walls, the furniture, or the address. It's about the memories you've built, the people you've shared your life with, and the little things that make a place your own," he said. The actor added, "Children may have a different idea of what makes a good life, but the love behind both perspectives is the same."
Through the Sikkas' story, the film examines the familiar differences between parents who find comfort in the life they have built and children who want to offer them something better. While their intentions come from a place of love, their differing expectations can create emotional complications.
With its festive setting, Dilwali Diwali aims to capture the small moments, shared memories and family disagreements that shape relationships across generations. The film also serves as a reminder that material comforts cannot always replace the emotional connections that make a place feel like home.
Dilwali Diwali premieres on Netflix on November 5.
