Chidiya director Mehran Amrohi on his inspiration behind the film, "I've noticed how some kids grow up too fast, not because they want to but because life leaves them with no choice"

Filmmaker Mehran Amrohi’s Chidiya hits theatres today after a 10-year wait. Starring Vinay Pathak, Amruta Subhash, Svar Kamble, Ayush Pathak, Inaamulhaq, Brijendra Kala, and Muzaffar Khan, the film is about lost childhood. Amrohi speaks about the film and more in an interview with us.

What are your feelings as Chidiya has finally been released after a 10-year wait? Honestly, sir, I’m very emotional. I may be a writer, but I don’t think I have the words to express it. This is my first film, and I shot it nearly 10 years ago. The fact that it’s finally releasing means a lot to me. At the same time, I’m also nervous — just like a student before an exam. Your steps feel unsure, your words feel jumbled… but somewhere inside, there’s hope.

Child labour is a sensitive subject. How did you handle it in your film? Chidiya isn’t about just one issue. It’s a story about ordinary lives, the kind many people live every day, especially in financially weaker sections. Yes, child labour exists in the world of the film, but I didn’t treat it as a special topic. I showed it as part of daily reality, just like many other struggles that poor families quietly face.

What inspired you to explore the lives of two underprivileged but happy boys? I’ve always noticed how some kids grow up too fast, not because they want to, but because life leaves them no choice. I’ve seen such kids in chawls and small towns, since I come from a small town myself. Even with all their struggles, they still find reasons to laugh, play, and dream. That balance, between hardship and hope, really moved me.

Did anyone tell you that this was a risky way to start your career as a director? Yes, many people said so. They asked why I’d make my first film without stars or glamour, or any commercial formula. But honestly, it never felt like a small film to me. It felt true. And I wasn’t trying to make a smart career move. I just wanted to tell a story that mattered to me.

How did you find the perfect actors for both the kids and adults in the film? It took time, and a lot of instinct. I auditioned many kids, but when I saw Svar Kamble and Ayush Pathak, I just knew. They weren’t acting — they were living those moments naturally.

For the adults, I was fortunate. Vinay Pathak and Amruta Subhash brought honesty and depth. They didn’t “perform” — they simply became part of the world. That honesty added so much to the film.

Who are your influences apart from Satyajit Ray and Vittorio De Sica? And what did you learn from them? I’ve been deeply influenced by Majid Majidi — the way he finds beauty in everyday life, and how he tells stories through silence and small gestures. From Ray, especially Charulata, I was so inspired that I even tried to recreate one of his shots in Chidiya. It was my little tribute to a great filmmaker.

I haven’t gone to film school or assisted any director. My understanding of cinema has come from watching films, listening to film discussions, and learning slowly on my own.

How has your connection to your distant kin Kamal Amrohi influenced you? Kamal Amrohi isn’t just an inspiration for me — he’s a source of pride for every aspiring filmmaker from Amroha and the surrounding region. I met him only once when I was a child, maybe 5 or 6 years old, and I still remember how graceful he was. Later, I watched his films, Mahal, Pakeezah, and to this day, whenever I feel low, I watch his work again. It gives me strength.

Also Read: Chidiya Trailer Out: A simple story of dreams and quiet victories in Mumbai’s chawl

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