Reading, PA (The Hollywood Times) November 5, 2026 — Diwali Dilemma is a charming short film about a young woman, Mala, trapped in the corporate world, misplaced and dissatisfied. An Indian woman, she witnesses the trivialization of her culture amongst Americans, and the poor representation of Diwali, an Indian holiday and festival of lights.
This bastardization of her native culture becomes the catalyst for her life reckoning. After too much champagne, she is visited by three ghosts, who remind her of where she came from and who she is. Mala must remember her passion and is challenged to return to a life of creativity, apart from the soul-sucking grind of corporate America. It is an inspiring story with layers of whit and personality that warmly invites viewers to question the value of life when passion is stripped away. When practicality and discipline reign, life becomes a dull descent into a void of meaninglessness.
The comedy plays off the famous Charles Dickens story A Christmas Carol but through a fresh lens. Diwali Dilemma is written and directed by Mohana Rajakumar and is the recipient of several awards including Best Actor, Comedy; Best Comedy, Best Cinematographer, Comedy; Best Director iWoman + NYWIFT Short Film Festival
It has been the Special Selection in: Filmmaker Sessions Volume 10, Carballo Interplay, WRPN Women’s International Film Festival, MOM Film Fest, iWoman + NYWIFT, Reading Film Festival, The Yonkers Film Festival.
Diwali Dilemma will premiere November 6-8 at ReadingFilmFEST and is part of Celebrating Women’s Voices block.
