Chhello Divas – A New Beginning (transl. The Last Day – A New Beginning) is a Gujarati coming of age comedy film, written and directed by Krishnadev Yagnik. The film stars Malhar Thakar, Yash Soni, Mitra Gadhavi, Aarjav Trivedi, Rahul Raval, Janki Bodiwala, Kinjal Rajpriya, and Netri Trivedi. The plot revolves around the lives of eight friends in their last year of college.
The film premiered on 20 November 2015 and garnered critical acclaim. The film was remade in Hindi as Days of Tafree.
Contents
Plot
Chhello Divas begins after the friends finish their final-year exams, when Vicky and his college friends go out together and are involved in a car accident that leaves Vicky hospitalized. The film then shifts into an extended flashback showing the group’s last phase of college life.
In the flashback, Vicky’s chronic lateness triggers a phone argument with his friend Nikhil (Nick), who is waiting for him at college. A misunderstanding during the call leads to a confrontation between the two friends, after which they regroup and are joined by their wider circle, including Loy, Dev, Dhula, and the talkative Naresh. Their days revolve around lectures, pranks, and escalating personal dramas as graduation approaches.
Romances develop within the group. Nikhil becomes interested in Pooja but hesitates because of her connection to his former girlfriend Vandana. Meanwhile, Dhula’s aggressive behavior draws Isha into an uncomfortable relationship dynamic.
A separate track begins when Loy’s family starts arranging his marriage meeting with Nisha. Loy and his friends initially try to derail the proposal, but events take a different turn, and Nisha later seeks admission to HD College. With help from Vicky’s family connection, she is admitted, and Vicky and Nisha grow closer and begin a relationship.
Back in the present, Vicky recovers from the accident. As the friends face the “last day” reality, Dev pushes Nikhil to stop overthinking and finally speak openly to Pooja. The film closes on the group’s final burst of chaos and emotion, with confessions and interruptions colliding as their college life comes to an end.
Cast
Malhar Thakar as Vicky
Yash Soni as Nikhil/Nick
Mitra Gadhavi as Loy
Aarjav Trivedi as Dhula
Rahul Raval as Dev
Janki Bodiwala as Pooja
Kinjal Rajpriya as Nisha
Netri Trivedi as Isha
Mayur Chauhan as Naresh
Prapti Ajwalia as Vandana
Prashant Barot as Nikhil's Father
Beena Shah as Nikhil's Mother
Jeetendra Thakkar as Vicky's Father
Harsha Bhavsar as Vicky's Mother
Jignesh Modi as Ghanshyam
Jay Rathod as Loy's Father
Ratilal Parmar as Nisha's Father
Dipika Ajwalia as Nisha's Mother
Jay Bhatt as Angry Professor
Kartavya Shah as Drama Professor
Ridham Bhat as Sheetal, Tuition Teacher
Anita Pursawani as Tel No Dabbo
Production
The film was shot in various locations across Ahmedabad and Vadodara, including Shanti Business School and Sabarmati Riverfront.
Release
The film was released on 20 November 2015 in 231 screens worldwide.
Reception
The film had more than 50-day run. The film was a commercial success and grossed ₹18 crore (US$1.9 million) on box office
Piracy
Before the release of the film, a copy of the film meant for the Central Board of Film Certification leaked online. The producers claimed they faced loss of ₹5 crore (US$520,000) due to the piracy. Two clerks in the Entertainment Tax Commissioner office in Gandhinagar were arrested in the case.
Remake
The film was remade in Hindi as the Days of Tafree (2016).