Aate Di Chidi

Set in contemporary times, the narrative incorporates modern life in Canada and rural Punjab. Social media, weddings, and evolving attitudes illustrate how tradition adapts in the digital age. The family's journey across countries underscores the ongoing negotiation of roots and identity in the modern world.

The story begins with a Punjabi family living in Canada, highlighting their day-to-day life in a diaspora setting. It shifts to a village in Punjab, India, where traditional norms clash with modern realities. The film contrasts the calm of Canadian suburbia with the evolving rhythms of rural Punjab to explore cultural belonging across borders.

🌍 Identity

Across Canada and Punjab, the film examines how diaspora roots shape personal identity. Lavi's curiosity about Punjabi culture contrasts with Eliza's worry about losing a sense of belonging. Dilip's longing to visit India and reconnect with tradition highlights the pull of homeland. The narrative suggests identity is carried in everyday acts, not only in language or homeland.

🗣️ Language

Language and cultural markers act as both shield and signpost. The village sign rendered in multiple languages becomes a focal point for pride in Punjabi as the mother tongue. The Aate Di Chidi symbol represents cultural transmission across borders. The family learns that language thrives through practice, rituals, and shared experiences.

⚖️ Tradition vs Modernity

Tradition meets modernity as weddings, funerals, and everyday life reflect changing norms. Dilip's nostalgia clashes with evolving attitudes in Punjab, while Eliza questions her preconceived notions about the homeland. The narrative shows a spectrum of change, from ceremonial customs to the way communities present themselves online. It asks whether tradition can endure without adapting.

👪 Family & Belonging

Family ties drive the journey and shape responses to cultural contrast. Decisions around travel, support for elders, and cross-border connections reveal a deep sense of duty that transcends borders. Belonging is portrayed as a dynamic, lived experience—defined by love, compromise, and shared memory. By the end, cultural exchange reinforces a renewed sense of family unity.