From gripping cinematic twists to spectacular dance sequences, Durga Puja has provided Bollywood with the perfect backdrop for drama, romance and high emotion.
Durga Puja has long been a favourite backdrop for Bollywood filmmakers. From gripping thrillers to family dramas, the festival has provided some memorable moments on screen.
Sujoy Ghosh’s Kahaani (2012) offers one of the most striking examples. Set in Kolkata during Durga Puja, the thriller uses the city’s festive bustle and Vijayadashami immersion processions to heighten the suspense. The climax draws on the symbolism of Goddess Durga’s victory over Mahishasura.
In Gunday (2014), the grandeur of Kolkata’s Durga Puja celebrations sets the stage for a crucial turn in the story. Priyanka Chopra’s character becomes central to the growing rift between the inseparable friends played by Ranveer Singh and Arjun Kapoor. The festive beats of the dhol contrast with the jealousy and betrayal simmering beneath the celebrations.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas (2002) gave audiences the exuberant Dola Re Dola, one of Bollywood’s most memorable dance sequences. Paro (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) invites Chandramukhi (Madhuri Dixit), the courtesan who loves Devdas, to her family’s celebrations. The two women dance together before the Goddess, transcending their social differences. The festive mood, however, gives way to conflict as Chandramukhi’s identity becomes a point of confrontation.
In Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023), Durga Puja becomes the setting for a clash of cultures and values. The high-energy Dhindhora Baje Re, featuring Rocky (Ranveer Singh) and Rani’s father (Tota Roy Chowdhury), brings the celebrations alive. But the festivities also expose the ideological divide between the families.
Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Parineeta (2005), adapted from Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s novella, uses Durga Puja to capture the emotional undercurrents of its central love story. The film showcases Bengali traditions, including the Dhunuchi dance, performed with smoking clay incense burners.
The festivities mirror the growing affection between the leads, even as jealousy and misunderstandings threaten their relationship.
Durga Puja also bridges cultural differences in Shoojit Sircar’s Vicky Donor (2012), when Yami’s Bengali character takes Ayushmann’s Punjabi protagonist pandal-hopping in Delhi, introducing him to her cultural traditions. In Lootera (2013), set in 1950s Bengal, the Goddess and a traditional jatra performance help establish the period setting and the world in which the central romance unfolds.
Bollywood’s association with Durga Puja extends well beyond the screen. In Mumbai, the festival is a major social occasion, bringing together generations of film personalities.
At the centre of these celebrations is the North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja. Founded in 1948 by film mogul Sashadhar Mukherjee and his wife, Satirani, the festival has grown from a more intimate gathering into one of Mumbai’s star-studded pujas.
Bollywood cousins Kajol, Rani Mukerji and Ayan Mukerji are among the familiar faces associated with the celebrations. From serving bhog to joining the traditional Sindoor Khela, the stars embrace the festival beyond the glamour of the screen. The pandal also attracts visits from Bollywood biggies.
For Bollywood, Durga Puja is more than an atmospheric backdrop or a grand cinematic spectacle. It is a celebration of faith, culture and community — one that continues to inspire filmmakers while bringing the film fraternity together in real life.
Highlight: The pandal also attracts visits from film personalities such as Amitabh Bachchan, Alia, Ranbir Kapoor and Kiara Advani.
