Featuring a cast led by Vinay Pathak, Amrutha Subhash, Inaamulhaq, Brijendra Kala and standout child actors Svar Kamble, Ayush Pathak and Hetal Gada, the film combines poetic realism with emotional clarity.
Smiley Films, in association with Reliance Entertainment, unveils the official poster of Chidiya — an internationally celebrated, heartwarming poetic drama — set to release theatrically across India on May 23, 2025.
Written and directed by Mehran Amrohi, Chidiya is a memory, a quiet tribute to the invisible battles children fight to keep their dreams alive. Set in the lived-in world of a Mumbai chawl, the story follows two spirited brothers, Shanu and Bua, who transform a discarded junkyard into a makeshift badminton court. With only imagination, hope, and the help of their mother and community, they chase a dream far bigger than their circumstances.
What makes this film even more special is its journey — Chidiya was completed nearly a decade ago and has travelled across international festivals, quietly winning hearts and accolades. Its long path to release echoes the very themes it celebrates: patience, belief, and the beauty of dreams that wait.
Director Mehran Amrohi says:
“Chidiya is a love letter to childhood — it is a film about dreaming with your eyes open, especially when life tells you not to. It’s a celebration of those forgotten by the city, but never by their own imagination. This film is a quiet reminder that hope is never out of date.”
Featuring a cast led by Vinay Pathak, Amrutha Subhash, Inaamulhaq, Brijendra Kala and standout child actors Svar Kamble, Ayush Pathak and Hetal Gada, the film combines poetic realism with emotional clarity. The music is by Shailendra Barve, with distribution by Reliance Entertainment.
Completed nearly a decade ago, Chidiya has already resonated globally, winning hearts and more at festivals in Czech Republic (Zlin IFF), The Netherlands (Cinekid), The USA (SAIFF), Russia (Spirit of Fire IFF), Iran (IFF for Children and Adults) and beyond. Like a memory that grows richer with time, the film arrives now with quiet confidence, like a bird that waited for the sky to clear.
The official poster is out now.
