Mihir Ahuja on Dilwali Diwali: 'We forget what truly makes families happy'

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Mihir Ahuja on Dilwali Diwali: 'We forget what truly makes families happy'

Synopsis

Just ahead of Diwali, Netflix's 'Dilwali Diwali' is making its case as the festive family watch of the season. Actor Mihir Ahuja and veteran Manoj Pahwa have opened up about a film that tackles a quietly universal tension — the gap between what families give and what their loved ones truly need.

Key Takeaways

Mihir Ahuja plays Ansh Sikka in the Netflix film 'Dilwali Diwali' , premiering on 5 November .
The film explores generational tensions within a family around love, home, and happiness.
Manoj Pahwa plays Ansh's father and described home as being about memories and people, not walls or addresses.
The film is written by Ritu Mago and directed by Ritesh Menon .
The cast also includes Neelu Kohli and Aurra Bhatnagar .

Actor Mihir Ahuja, who plays Ansh Sikka in the upcoming Netflix film 'Dilwali Diwali', has spoken candidly about the film's exploration of family bonds, generational gaps, and the true meaning of happiness — themes he says will resonate with audiences this festive season.

Ansh's Journey Rooted in Love

Ahuja described his character's arc as one that springs from a deeply relatable place. 'Ansh's journey in Dilwali Diwali comes from a place of love. I think that's what makes the story so relatable,' he said. He added that the film captures a universal tension: the gap between what families offer and what their loved ones actually need. '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.'

Ahuja praised the production for its emotional authenticity, saying that the makers — referred to as TTT — have 'beautifully captured these nuances with humour and heart.' He expressed excitement about audiences watching the film on Netflix during Diwali and seeing 'a little bit of their own families in the Sikkas.'

Manoj Pahwa on the Meaning of Home

Veteran actor Manoj Pahwa, who plays Ansh's father in the film, offered a poignant perspective on what home truly means to a parent. '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.

Pahwa acknowledged the generational divide at the heart of the story, noting that while children may hold a different vision of a good life, 'the love behind both perspectives is the same.' He expressed hope that audiences would find their 'own meaning of home' in the film.

About the Film

'Dilwali Diwali' is written by Ritu Mago and directed by Ritesh Menon. The film stars Mihir Ahuja, Manoj Pahwa, Neelu Kohli, and Aurra Bhatnagar. It premieres exclusively on Netflix on 5 November, just ahead of the Diwali festivities.

Why It Matters This Diwali

The film arrives at a time when streaming platforms are increasingly anchoring their biggest Indian-language releases around major festivals. Diwali has become a high-stakes window for OTT launches, and 'Dilwali Diwali' appears positioned to capitalise on the holiday's family-viewing culture. With a cast that blends emerging talent like Ahuja with established character actors like Pahwa and Kohli, the project reflects a growing appetite for emotionally grounded, relatable family narratives on Indian streaming platforms.

Point of View

Memory, generational love — and that is shrewd positioning for an OTT release in a crowded festive window. What is more interesting is the casting logic: pairing a younger face like Mihir Ahuja against a seasoned character actor like Manoj Pahwa signals a deliberate bid for cross-generational viewership. Netflix India has leaned into this formula before, and it often works. Whether the film itself delivers on the warmth its actors are selling remains to be seen on 5 November.
NationPress
26 Oct 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Dilwali Diwali release on Netflix?
'Dilwali Diwali' premieres on Netflix on 5 November, ahead of the Diwali festivities. It is an exclusive Netflix release.
Who is in the cast of Dilwali Diwali?
The film stars Mihir Ahuja, Manoj Pahwa, Neelu Kohli, and Aurra Bhatnagar. Mihir Ahuja plays the central character Ansh Sikka, with Manoj Pahwa as his father.
Who directed and wrote Dilwali Diwali?
'Dilwali Diwali' is directed by Ritesh Menon and written by Ritu Mago. The film is produced in association with Netflix.
What is Dilwali Diwali about?
The film explores family relationships, generational differences, and the true meaning of happiness and home. It centres on the Sikka family and examines how loved ones sometimes overlook what genuinely makes each other happy in their efforts to provide more.
What did Mihir Ahuja say about his role in Dilwali Diwali?
Ahuja said his character Ansh's journey 'comes from a place of love' and reflects a universal truth — that in trying to give families more, people sometimes forget what truly makes them happy. He praised the film for capturing these nuances 'with humour and heart.'
Nation Press
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