Yeh idea "Chhoti Diwali" ek emotional, grounded indie film ban sakti hai jo audience ke dil ko chhoo jaaye. Yahan uske liye ek layered treatment + tonal vision + casting idea + poster concept + film festival pitch logline de raha hoon:
🎬 Title: Chhoti Diwali
🧨 Genre: Drama | Social Realism
🗓 Setting: One day before Diwali | Urban India (possibly Delhi, Jaipur, or
Ahmedabad)
📖 Core Plot Summary:
13
saal ki Gudiya, migrant parents ki badi beti, Diwali ke ek din pehle apne
chhoti si jhuggi mein ghar sambhal rahi hoti hai. Parents mazdoori pe gaye hote
hain. Chhoti behen Munni ko bukhaar ho jaata hai. Us din mohalla roshan hai —
lightings, patakhe, mithaiyaan — par Gudiya ke liye Diwali sirf ek zimmedari
ban jaati hai.
Woh
doctor tak jaane ki koshish karti hai, par paisa, samay, aur samajik dar se
jujhti hai. Kahani poore din mein ghoomti hai:
- Munni ki tabiyat
bigadti hai
- Gudiya neighbours
se help maangti hai
- Ek local
shopkeeper ya diya-bechne wali aunty thoda support karti hai
- Ek waqt aata hai
jab usse lagta hai Munni mar jaayegi
- End mein ya to
ek small hope milta hai ya quiet acceptance
✨ Themes:
- Childhood vs
Adulthood
- Festivals vs
Poverty
- Resilience vs
Helplessness
- Sisterhood
- Invisible Lives
during Visible Celebrations
👧 Lead Character:
Gudiya
(13)
– grounded, intelligent, responsible beyond her years.
Munni (6) – innocent, curious, weak but chirpy when well.
Parents (offscreen mostly) – migrant workers, voices on phone.
Neighbourhood characters – vibrant yet distant.
🎭 Tonal Moodboard:
- Visual tone like
Killa / Stanley ka Dabba / The Lunchbox
- Music sparse,
with regional lullabies, ambient sounds of crackers and celebrations
- Contrast: Bright
exteriors vs dim, shadowy interiors
- Handheld camera
for intimacy
📜 Sample Film Festival
Logline:
“On
the eve of India’s brightest festival, a 13-year-old girl battles a fading diya
and her sister’s fever, as she learns the meaning of strength, solitude, and
silent hope.”
🖼 Poster Concept (for
Film Bazaar / MAMI):
- Visual: Gudiya holding
her sick sister in lap, both sitting near a dim diya inside a dark room,
while the window outside glows with Diwali crackers.
- Title: Chhoti
Diwali
- Tagline: "Jab
roshni sabke liye nahi hoti."
🎥 Shooting Style:
- Real locations —
bastis, lanes, rooftops
- 2:1 aspect ratio
(for intimacy)
- Mostly natural
light
- Dialogues in
regional Hindi with minimal music
- Daylight turning
to night: symbolic of innocence turning into harshness
🏆 Film Festival
Targeting:
- MAMI
- Indian Film
Festival of Los Angeles
- Busan
(Children's Focus)
- Berlinale
Generation Kplus
- IFFI Goa (Indian
Panorama)
🧩 Optional Ending
Variations:
- Hopeful: A local NGO
doctor steps in by evening. Munni recovers. Gudiya lights a single diya —
smiling.
- Bittersweet: Munni recovers
by morning but the family returns, unaware of Gudiya’s emotional journey.
- Realist: Munni passes
away — Diwali fireworks outside continue. Gudiya sits quietly, holding
her.
Here’s
the full scene breakdown (Scene 1 to 30) for the indie film Chhoti
Diwali — structured as a real-time, one-day drama that follows a rising
tension arc while staying intimate, emotional, and minimal in scope.
🎬 Chhoti Diwali –
Scene Breakdown (1 to 30)
(Language:
Hindi | Setting: Single-day | Location: Urban basti)
ACT 1 – INTRODUCTION (Scenes 1–8)
Builds
the world, characters, and contrast between festivity and poverty.
1.
Early Morning – Jhopdi Interior
Gudiya wakes up early and looks at her sleeping sister Munni, coughing lightly.
She prepares water to brush, quietly starting the day.
2.
Outdoor Tap – Basti Lane
She fetches water, looks at decorated houses around. Kids are talking about
crackers and sweets. Gudiya quietly listens.
3.
Back Home – Simple Cleaning
Gudiya sweeps the floor, folds the bed, and looks at the lone diya from last
year. She tries to brighten it.
4.
Phone Call – Parents' Voice
She calls her mother. The mother says, “Bas kal shaam tak aa jaayenge.” Gudiya
says, “Munni thoda bimar lag rahi hai.”
5.
Neighbour Aunty’s House
Gudiya borrows some sugar to make chai. Aunty is applying mehendi, joking “Aaj
toh Chhoti Diwali hai!”
6.
Munni’s Fever Rises
Gudiya gives Munni water but notices her skin is hot. She checks with her hand,
unsure what to do.
7.
Rooftop – Looking at Celebrations
Kids are flying kites, music playing. Gudiya watches from her rooftop, worried.
8.
Home – Finds Old Thermometer
She searches in an old tin box, finds a broken thermometer and a Vicks bottle.
ACT 2 – RISING STRUGGLE (Scenes 9–22)
Story
builds conflict, helplessness, and desperate hope.
9.
Neighbour Boy Suggests Local Dispensary
She asks about any doctor. The boy says “Mohalle ke dusre kone mein ek buddhe
doctor hain.”
10.
Gudiya Wraps Munni in Blanket
She puts Munni on her back, covers her, and steps out.
11.
Lane Crossing – Decorations and Sweets
As they walk, she sees people decorating, buying sweets, a loudspeaker plays
“Happy Diwali!”
12.
Local Dispensary – Closed
Doctor is not available till evening. Gudiya is told, “Bhai, aaj toh sab
chhutti pe hain.”
13.
She Sits Outside in Confusion
She sits on a roadside stone. Munni groans in fever. Gudiya fights back tears.
14.
Local Tea Stall Owner Offers Water
Chaiwala gives Munni water and tells Gudiya to try the government clinic.
15.
Government Clinic – Too Far / Closes Early
A passerby says “Woh toh 2 baje bandh ho jaata hai, aur door bhi hai.”
16.
Gudiya Returns, Spots Rich Family Lighting Diyas
She sees a girl her age wearing new clothes and lighting diyas with her mom.
17.
She Passes by Firecracker Shop
Sound, light, celebration. Gudiya covers Munni’s ears. A spark flies close. She
walks faster.
18.
Aunty from Earlier Offers Paracetamol
Neighbour aunty says “Bas ek tablet hai beta.” Gives it with haldi doodh.
19.
Evening – Munni’s Condition Worsens
Munni is shivering now. Gudiya tries sponging with a wet cloth.
20.
Gudiya Tries to Reheat Food
She finds stale roti. Tries to make tea again but gas is over.
21.
Rooftop – Fireworks in Sky
She looks up. Sky is filled with fireworks. She hugs Munni tightly.
22.
Phone Call Attempt – No Balance
She tries calling again. “Your balance is low.” Gudiya throws the phone.
ACT 3 – RESOLUTION (Scenes 23–30)
Ending
unfolds with quiet emotional clarity, and symbolic closure.
23.
She Prays to the Diya
Gudiya lights the old diya. “Bas thoda accha kar do Munni ko…”
24.
Munni Opens Eyes Weakly
She asks, “Diwali kab hai Didi?” Gudiya lies, “Aaj hi hai Munni.”
25.
Gudiya Puts Tika and Bangles on Her
She decorates Munni with old bangles and a small bindi. Smiles fake but full of
love.
26.
Firecrackers Heard Outside
Loud noise outside, Munni flinches. Gudiya holds her ears gently.
27.
Mother’s Call Comes at Last
“Bas ek ghante mein pahuch rahe hain.” Gudiya quietly says, “Jaldi aaiyega…”
28.
Munni Falls Asleep
Wrapped in a thin blanket, faint smile on her face. Gudiya sits beside her
holding her hand.
29.
Last Diya Still Burning
The diya flickers. Gudiya guards it with her hands, sitting still.
30.
Final Frame – Gudiya Watching Fireworks from Inside
Camera zooms out slowly. Inside, darkness. Outside, blinding brightness.
Fade Out.
Full scriptwriting (dialogue + scene
action in Roman Hindi
Chhoti Diwali Script
Title: Chhoti Diwali
Language: Hindi (Roman)
Genre: Drama | Indie | Festival backdrop
Scene
1: Early Morning – Jhopdi ke Andar
(Soft ambient sounds – birds, distant temple bell)
Gudiya (13) aankh kholti hai. Pas mein Munni (6) so rahi hai, thoda khaans rahi
hai.
GUDIYA (andar hi andar)
Aaj bhi jaldi uthna pada... Munni ki tabiyat theek nahi lag rahi.
Wo
paani ka lota uthati hai aur bahar nikal jaati hai.
Scene
2: Basti ka Nalka – Subah Subah
Gudiya paani bhar rahi hoti hai. Do ladkiyaan mithaiyon aur naye kapdon ki baat
kar rahi hoti hain.
LADKI
1
Mere bhai ne 200 ka bomb liya! Aaj toh phode bina nahi maanenge!
GUDIYA (muskurati hai
par chup rehti hai)
Scene
3: Jhopdi ke Andar – Ghar ke Kaam
Wo jhadu lagati hai, bistar lagati hai. Ek purani diya ka dabba nikaalti hai.
GUDIYA
Purana hai... par aaj raat ko jalaungi.
Scene
4: Phone Call – Maa ki Awaaz
Gudiya purane keypad wale phone se call karti hai.
MAA
(V.O.)
Kal shaam tak aa jaayenge beta. Munni ko khayal se rakhna.
GUDIYA
Usse bukhaar hai maa... dikhane le jaun?
MAA
(V.O.)
Paas waale doctor ke paas le jaa, par paise bacha ke kharch karna.
Scene
5: Neighbour Aunty ke Ghar – Borrowing Sugar
Aunty mehendi laga rahi hoti hai. Gudiya sugar maangti hai.
AUNTY
Aaj toh chhoti Diwali hai beta, tyaariyan ho gayi?
GUDIYA (halki
muskurahat)
Haan aunty... thoda thoda.
Scene
6: Munni ki Tabiat Bigadti Hai
Munni zyada khaans rahi hai, aankhein laal hain. Gudiya paani pilaati hai, chinta
uske chehre pe saaf hai.
GUDIYA
Bas thoda bukhaar hi hai... theek ho jaayegi na?
Scene
7: Rooftop View – Tyohar ka Shor
Gudiya chhat se basti ke ujjale dekh rahi hai. Bacche crackers le ja rahe hain.
Uske chehre pe udaasi.
Scene
8: Old Tin Box – Diya aur Vicks
Gudiya ek dabba nikaalti hai. Usme ek toota thermometer aur Vicks hota hai.
Pareshan hoti hai.
Scene
9: Neighbour Boy ka Idea
Ek ladka kehta hai “Basti ke aage ek buddha doctor milta hai.”
GUDIYA
Main le jaati hoon Munni ko...
Scene
10: Munni ko Blanket Mein Lapetna
Gudiya Munni ko kambal mein lapet ke uthati hai aur chal padti hai.
Scene
11–30
(Continued in next part — including journey, struggle, hope, diya lighting,
and the final emotional moment)
Here
is the continuation of the "Chhoti Diwali" script in Roman
Hindi — from Scene 11 to Scene 30, in script format:
🎬 CHHOTI DIWALI
Language: Roman Hindi
Writer: [You]
Scene 11 to 30
SCENE 11 – BASTI KI GALI (DAY)
Gudiya
Munni ko kambal mein lapet ke chal rahi hoti hai. Background mein patakhe ki
awaaz, log mithai kharid rahe hain.
GUDIYA
(andar hi andar)
Bas thoda aur chal Munni... Doctor ke paas le jaake sab theek ho jaayega.
MUNNI
(sukar karte hue)
Didi... thand lag rahi hai...
GUDIYA
Ha ha... abhi dhoop mein chal rahe hain na... thik ho jaayega.
SCENE 12 – DISPENSARY KE BAHAR (DAY)
Gudiya
pahuchti hai par shutter band hota hai. Ek purana board: "Today Closed for
Diwali".
GUDIYA
(ghabraakar)
Band?! Aaj ke din bhi?
SCENE 13 – SADAK KE KINARE BAITHI
GUDIYA
Wo
Munni ko godh mein le kar baithi hoti hai. Munni ka haath thanda ho gaya hai.
Dhoop tez hai, par uska chehra udaas.
GUDIYA
(sannata mein, aankhon mein aansu)
Bas ek doctor mil jaata... kuch bhi le leti main...
SCENE 14 – CHAIWALE KA TAPRI (DAY)
Ek
chaiwala dekhta hai. Munni ko paani deta hai.
CHAIWALA
Bacchi ko fever lag raha hai? Clinic toh bandh hai... Par government wala
hai... thoda door hai.
GUDIYA
Paise nahi hain bhaiya...
CHAIWALA
(sympathetically)
Lelo paani. Aur ek paracetamol rakh lo, agar chahiye ho toh.
SCENE 15 – RAASTA (DAY)
Gudiya
Munni ko godh mein liye wapas jaa rahi hoti hai. Peeche ek rich family ghar
decorate kar rahi hai.
LADKI
(rich girl)
Mummaaa, fairy lights kaunse plug mein lagaye?
GUDIYA
(ek nazar daalti hai, phir aage badh jaati hai)
SCENE 16 – PHATAKHE KI DUKAAN KE PAAS
(DAY)
Loud
explosion hoti hai. Ek chingari Gudiya ke paas girti hai. Munni dar jaati hai.
MUNNI
(dar ke)
Didi! Didi!
GUDIYA
Kuch nahi hua... bas awaaz thi... (uska haath pakadti hai tightly)
SCENE 17 – NEIGHBOUR AUNTY KA GHAR
(EVENING)
Aunty
Gudiya ko paracetamol ki ek goli deti hai.
AUNTY
Beta, sirf ek hi tablet hai... le ja, doodh ke saath de dena. Haldi bhi daal
dena.
GUDIYA
(sharmate hue)
Shukriya aunty...
SCENE 18 – JHOPDI KA ANDAR (EVENING)
Gudiya
Munni ko goli aur haldi doodh deti hai. Uska bukhaar kam nahi ho raha.
GUDIYA
(andar se tooti hui)
Please theek ho jaa Munni... please...
SCENE 19 – CHULHA BAND (EVENING)
Gudiya
tries to heat food, but stove mein gas nahi hai.
GUDIYA
(abhi bahar jaake kuch karna padega... par Munni ko akela nahi chhod sakti)
SCENE 20 – ROOFTOP (NIGHT)
Asman
mein patakhe. Durr se log "Happy Diwali!" chillate hain. Gudiya ne
Munni ko kambal mein lapet rakha hai.
MUNNI
Kamre mein andhera kyun hai, Didi?
GUDIYA
Humari Diwali shaant wali hai na... bina awaaz ke.
SCENE 21 – PHONE KA TRY (NIGHT)
Gudiya
phone lagati hai maa ko, par balance nahi hota.
VOICE
(phone)
"Your balance is low, please recharge..."
GUDIYA
(bechaini se phone patakti hai)
Sab kuch galat kyun ho raha hai...
SCENE 22 – DIYA JALANA (NIGHT)
Gudiya
ek puraana diya nikaalti hai, jisme thoda tel bacha hai. Maachis jalake ek diya
rakhti hai.
GUDIYA
(gut-gut ke bolti hai)
Bas ek raat... bas ek raat sambhal lo bhagwan...
SCENE 23 – MUNNI KI HALAT (LATE NIGHT)
Munni
aankhen kholti hai thoda sa, weak si smile karti hai.
MUNNI
Didi... Diwali kab hai?
GUDIYA
(smiling with pain)
Aaj hi hai Munni... Happy Diwali...
SCENE 24 – GUDIYA KA SAJANA (LATE
NIGHT)
Gudiya
Munni ko ek choti si bindi lagati hai, ek tuta hua chuda pehnati hai.
GUDIYA
Tayyar ho ja meri pyaari... tu sabse sundar lag rahi hai.
SCENE 25 – FIRECRACKERS OUTSIDE (LATE
NIGHT)
Patakhe
ki zor ki awaaz. Munni jhatak jaati hai. Gudiya uske kaan dhak leti hai.
SCENE 26 – PHONE KA BELL (LATE NIGHT)
Phone
bajta hai. Maa ka number.
MUMMY
(phone)
Bas ek ghante mein pahuch rahe hain. Ghar pe sab theek hai na?
GUDIYA
(barely holding tears)
Haan mummy... sab thik hai...
SCENE 27 – MUNNI SO JAATI HAI (LATE
NIGHT)
Munni
so jaati hai. Gudiya uske paas baithi hai, sirf diya ki roshni mein.
SCENE 28 – DIYA KI LO (NIGHT)
Diya
ki lo kabhi tez, kabhi dheemi ho rahi hai. Gudiya haath se usse hawa se bacha
rahi hai.
SCENE 29 – GUDIYA KI AANKHON MEIN
JHALAK (NIGHT)
Gudiya
asmaan mein dekh rahi hai. Patakhe ka reflection uski aankhon mein. Andar
andhera, bahar roshni.
SCENE 30 – FINAL FRAME (NIGHT)
Camera
door jaata hai – ek jhopdi jisme ek diya jal raha hai. Baaki poora mohalla
roshan, par yeh ek diya sabse sachcha lagta hai.
TEXT
ON SCREEN:
“Jab sab roshni mein hote hain, kuch log andheron mein umeed jala rahe hote
hain.”
FADE
OUT.
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