The essence of this film was to showcase the spirit of life. In a year when all hope was almost lost due to the pandemic and its destruction of life and finance, this film was to be shot to give people hope, to remind them that indeed there still is a reason to smile and that Diwali is the time to feel it.

In collaboration with Contract Advertising, we thought of capturing the energy and vitality that gives you the willingness and passion to wake up everyday and look forward to what awaits for you. We aimed to strike a perfect balance between style and realism wherein it felt visceral and full of life – achieving a rich atmosphere.

We relied on cultural input to determine the right elements to use throughout the film. Whether it was certain decor, style of lighting, background music, etc. Keeping in mind that it’s a fashion film, we amalgamated style with authenticity in every approach and step that we took.

We kept tender moments, peace and comfort at the core of this film. A film full of warmth, perfectly in tune with the festival and its emotions. In order to convey this emotionally sound state, the spaces and the visuals were made in such a way that it helps gain a voice and expresses themselves through photographic beauty, colour and light. 

Real emotions from real people is the only way the audience could connect with this spot. The strength of this film lies in the bond between people, both on screen and those viewing the spot.

Visually, every frame was designed to constantly surprise the viewer and keep them engaged from start to finish. The combination of stylized, cinematic, and authenticity coupled with fashion music and crisp editing helped push the narrative forward.

Starting with a man and a woman working in a domestic environment, a discussion starts on how many days leave there is during Diwali. This shot pans to a grandfather having a video call, 2 friends meeting unexpectedly at a store, an individual checking watches online and then being taken to the store by the brother. Each scene is a transition of slowly and steadily things coming back to normal. From long distance celebrations to video-call trials, it was a time when the country was very positive about going back to the times as they were.

At the end of every sequence, there is a VO that speaks of how Diwali is a state of mind and can be celebrated once the people and the vibe are happy and positive. At the end is a Super that speaks of how Diwali start with Shoppers Stop, connecting back every sequence of being happy to Shoppers Stop making sure everyone is happy.

Keeping in mind that the occasion is Diwali, the visual moodboard had a ethnic theme of bright colours, traditional clothing, decorative lights and groups of happy people showering affection.

The film has multiple settings, most of them indoors. For every setting, a wide range of colours adorns the surroundings, with characters ranging across all age groups. This is a metaphor to showcase that Shoppers Stop indeed has collections for every age group. This connect back is made within the film when time and again, the setting shifts to the interiors of a Shoppers Stop store and with every character wearing a Shoppers Stop collection.

Using a wide lens and a constant and seamless movement, the film aimed at being engaging, dynamic and full of style, ensuring the audience stays captivated. The lighting is warm, dimmed and cozy, giving an essence of peace and tranquility with that tungsten setup. It gives the overall feel very festive and Diwali like.

Upbeat & Youthful, the music in the film compliments the visual vibe, while the VO in the background gives a calm, warm and positive message that seeps into the heart of the viewer.