Mumbai filmmakers capture spirit of Fagli fest through child’s eyes
At the heart of the story is a nine-year-old specially abled girl child and an active member of Mahila Haat
A cultural preservation film celebrating the sacred Fagli festival was recently filmed amid the tranquil settings of the Tirthan valley in Kullu district, bringing together tradition, childhood innocence and a powerful message of inclusion. The project was helmed by renowned Mumbai-based film director Shabaz with fellow filmmaker Siddharth capturing the narrative sensitively through their lenses. The film presents Fagli through the eyes of a child, offering a rare and heartfelt portrayal of cultural continuity blended with social consciousness.
The Fagli festival holds deep spiritual and cultural significance for the people of Himachal Pradesh, especially in the Kullu region. Rooted in devotion to the living Gods of Kullu, the festival marks the end of the harsh winter and the joyous arrival of the spring. It is a time when communities come together to reaffirm faith, celebrate season renewal and strengthen the bonds of harmony. Through ritual, song and collective participation, Fagli symbolises resilience, gratitude and shared heritage.
The film was shot at the Mahila Haat Rural Library-cum-Innovation Centre in the Tirthan valley, a grass-roots space that has become a hub of learning and empowerment. At the heart of the story is a nine-year-old specially abled girl child and an active member of Mahila Haat. As she prepares enthusiastically for her poetry recitation on the occasion of Fagli, the narrative unfolds from her innocent perspective filled with warmth, curiosity and cultural pride.
Her narration allows the audience to experience the festival not as a spectacle but also as a lived emotion. A seven-year-old boy appears in a supporting role, selected by casting director Kunal, making the child-centric storytelling more authentic.
The film crew received strong local support from Sahil and Priya, Saurabh, Krunal and Ankit Raj. Tek Ram, coordinator of Mahila Haat for Banjar block, described the project as a proud moment for the valley and Kullu district. He says that the director’s journey from Mumbai underscored the importance of preserving local heritage through respectful storytelling.
Importantly, the initiative aligns with India’s inclusive vision under the Accessible India Campaign and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, both of which stress dignity, accessibility and equal participation. The specially abled girl’s mother, Tela, says that such opportunities instill hope in the families of special children, reassuring them that society is gradually learning to recognise abilities rather than limitations.
Shabaz says that meeting these children and witnessing the dedication of Mahila Haat volunteers moved him to rewrite nearly 70 per cent of the script. By weaving inclusion seamlessly into festivity, the film stands not only as a tribute to Fagli but also as a meaningful statement on empowerment, visibility and evolving rural values in Himachal Pradesh.
