BOTTOM LINE
Quick Cozy Diwali Watch, Under 60 Min
PLATFORM
NETFLIX
RUNTIME
52 Minutes
What Is the Film About?
Twinkle, who works in Bengaluru, is on her way back home to Delhi for Diwali, where her parents and younger brother Ankush live. As Twinkle arrives, the family isn’t as perfect as she imagined. The siblings soon realise that the house they grew up in isn’t really theirs. Their parents aren’t too happy about Ankush’s secret partner, while Twinkle herself has yet to open up about her boyfriend.
Performances
Ahsaas Channa, a familiar face on OTT, anchors the story with a spirited, engaging performance. Supriya Shukla shines as the mother in one of the liveliest roles in the film, while Poojan Chhabra balances goofiness with maturity. Happy Ranajit, Akshaya Naik, and others lend strong support.
Analysis
If you’re one of those (like this reviewer) who often wonders why Indian streaming platforms rarely create exclusive shows or stories centred on major festivals, Greater Kalesh brings some good news. Much like the Christmas-themed international films that flood streaming platforms each year, here’s something desi for Diwali.
Streaming on Netflix, Greater Kalesh, directed by Aditya Chandlok, unfolds as a family drama set against a Diwali backdrop in Delhi. It captures the essence of most Indian festivals, when everyone returns home, looks past life’s imperfections, makes up for lost time, and reconnects with family, friends, and neighbours.
Written by Ritu Mago, the hour-long film unfolds through Twinkle’s perspective as she returns home after a while. Working in Bengaluru and in a steady relationship, she’s just about to knock on her door when she overhears loud arguments inside. The moment she steps in, everyone pretends that all’s well.
As her parents try to delay the inevitable, Ankush reveals the heart of the matter – they’ll soon have to vacate their home since the property was never really theirs. Meanwhile, their mother grows increasingly suspicious about Ankush’s love life, and Twinkle wonders why she’s been kept in the dark. Adding to the chaos, household items mysteriously start disappearing.
With grandma arriving for Diwali, mom insists that everyone keep the peace and act cheerful in her presence. But that night holds many surprises. Twinkle invites Ankush’s secret partner to the family gathering and is left stunned when her boyfriend shows up unexpectedly. Amid all the drama, tensions finally ease.
Greater Kalesh explores the conflicts among its four main characters convincingly. Twinkle is reminded by a wise friend not to shoulder the entire family’s burdens. Ankush eventually finds the courage to speak openly about his love life, encouraged by his sister.
Their mother manages to keep the home’s spirit intact, though it comes at a cost. The mystery around the father’s late-night outings is resolved with a humorous twist. The film’s narration is breezy, slice-of-life, and light-hearted, keeping things relatable and progressive. It gently reiterates that while life is full of issues, family and home remain constant sources of comfort.
Some viewers may find Greater Kalesh a little too simple or overly conscious of its messaging, but it deserves credit as a first-of-its-kind attempt on Netflix. It gets the basics right with engaging performances, solid casting, aesthetic visuals and leaves you smiling as it ends.
Music and Other Departments?
Anshul Thakkar’s warm and delicate score adds an invisible emotional layer to the film. Shikhar Bhatnagar’s cinematography stands out for its vivid visuals, vibrant texture, and the production design and costumes perfectly complement the theme. The writing could have delved deeper into the mother’s character, but the crisp 52-minute runtime feels ideal for the compact story.
Highlights?
Crisp, breezy storytelling
Strong performances and casting
Tackles complex family dynamics with a feel-good tone
Drawbacks?
Simplistic and predictable at times
Conflicts resolved too conveniently
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes, it’s well-timed and leaves little room for complaint.
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, it adds a progressive twist to the festive family film genre.
Greater Kalesh Netflix Movie Review by M9
