2026 · Series
How to Ruin Diwali
A three-episode South African romantic comedy in which a secret engagement brings a proud Zulu family and an Indian medical family together for Diwali.
Released Fri, 30 Oct, 2026
Checked by Movie Mandala, Sat, 7 Nov, 2026
Where to watch
IndiaAs of 7 November 2026, How to Ruin Diwali is streaming in India on Netflix with a subscription.
- Checked Sat, 7 Nov, 2026Open ↗
The story
Dr Mmabatho is about to spend her first Diwali with her fiancé's family, a proud Indian dynasty of doctors in South Africa. The engagement has been kept quiet, and when her own Zulu family ends up under the same roof for the festival, customs clash, secrets leak out and one guest declares that Diwali is cancelled. While she scrambles to save the holiday, her parents quietly pursue a plan of their own.
Spoiler-free: only the set-up.
Who it suits
A light festive watch for viewers who enjoy family romcoms about two cultures meeting. Netflix rates it U/A 13+, and the three episodes run about 40 minutes each, so it can be finished in an evening.
Curation to help you choose, not a review.
Background
How to Ruin Diwali is a South African Netflix series created by siblings Rethabile and Katleho Ramaphakela. Netflix describes it as a romantic comedy about a hidden engagement that forces a Zulu family and an Indian medical dynasty under one roof for the festival. It pairs Rosemary Zimu and Kyle Clark as the engaged couple, with Jailoshini Naidoo, Koobeshan Naidoo, Sonia Mbele and Meshack Mavuso as the two sets of parents and relatives.
All three episodes premiered worldwide on Netflix on 30 October 2026, a week before Diwali. The original audio is English; Netflix India also offers a Hindi dub, with English subtitles. Netflix tags it as a comedy about clashing generations, and the episodes run about 40 to 43 minutes each. No reviews from Indian outlets had been published when this was checked.
The facts
- Language
- English
- Hindi
- Hindi dub available
- Genre
- Romantic comedy, Family comedy
- Certificate
- U/A 13+ (Netflix rating)
- Cast
- Rosemary Zimu, Kyle Clark, Jailoshini Naidoo, Koobeshan Naidoo, Sonia Mbele
Diwali 2026: every release in theatres and on OTT →
Questions people ask
- Where can I watch How to Ruin Diwali in India?
- As of 7 November 2026, How to Ruin Diwali is streaming in India on Netflix with a subscription.
- Is How to Ruin Diwali available in Hindi?
- Yes. How to Ruin Diwali was made in English, and a Hindi-dubbed version is available on Netflix.
- Is How to Ruin Diwali suitable for children?
- How to Ruin Diwali has a CBFC U/A 13+ (Netflix rating) certificate.