Durga Puja has long served as a compelling backdrop for filmmakers looking to heighten the emotional impact of a story. From heated confrontations and celebratory dance sequences to pivotal plot developments, the festival has played an integral role in several Hindi films rather than merely serving as a decorative interlude. This Durga Puja, we revisit five memorable sequences in which the autumn festival helps move the narrative forward.
Chandramukhi confronts Kali Babu in Devdas
Durga Puja becomes a turning point in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 2002 drama Devdas. Parvati (Aishwarya Rai), while searching for Devdas (Shah Rukh Khan), strikes up a friendship with Chandramukhi (Madhuri Dixit), a courtesan, and invites her to the festivities at her zamindar mansion.
The two women immerse themselves in the celebrations, dancing with abandon before the assembled villagers. However, the festive mood takes a bitter turn when Parvati’s son-in-law seeks revenge for an earlier insult by exposing Chandramukhi’s identity.
Sekhar’s jealousy surfaces during Durga Puja in Parineeta
Director Pradeep Sarkar uses Durga Puja twice in his 2005 film Parineeta, with the festivities reflecting changing emotions and relationships. The first sequence, early in the film, captures the growing closeness between Sekhar (Saif Ali Khan) and Lolita (Vidya Balan).
When Girin (Sanjay Dutt) subsequently enters Lolita’s life, the festival becomes a backdrop for Sekhar’s mounting jealousy. At the Durga Puja pandal, a burning piece of coir falls from Girin’s dhunuchi, prompting Lolita to rush over and remove it. Her gesture only aggravates Sekhar’s resentment.
Vidya avenges her husband’s death in Kahaani
Sujoy Ghosh’s 2012 thriller Kahaani delivers a climactic revelation that catches first-time viewers off guard. On the final day of Durga Puja, Vidya Bagchi (Vidya Balan) puts herself forward as bait to draw Milan Damji (Indraneil Sengupta), a mole within the intelligence bureau, out of hiding.
What remains concealed until the climax is that Vidya is herself a covert operative, determined to avenge her husband’s death at Damji’s hands. Ghosh builds the final sequence around the symbolism of Maa Durga’s victory over the demon Mahishasura, lending the confrontation a mythological resonance.
Pakhi’s asthma comes to light in Lootera
Vikramaditya Motwane’s 2013 drama Lootera opens with a shot of Maa Durga’s face, immediately establishing the setting and atmosphere. The story unfolds in a quaint village in West Bengal, where Durga Puja celebrations are underway at the mansion of zamindar Soumitra Roy Chaudhary (Barun Chanda). A jatra pala, or traditional local theatre performance, takes place alongside the festivities.
Among the spectators is Roy Chaudhary’s daughter, Pakhi (Sonakshi Sinha), who begins coughing uncontrollably. She is taken to the inner chambers, and it is through this incident that the audience learns of her underlying asthmatic condition.
Rani challenges Rocky’s family during Durga Puja in Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
In his 2023 romantic comedy Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, Karan Johar turns Durga Puja into the setting for a confrontation over patriarchal attitudes and progressive values. Shortly after Rocky (Ranveer Singh) dances to Dola Re Dola at a Durga Puja pandal alongside Rani’s father, Chandon (Tota Roy Choudhury), his own father, Tijori (Aamir Bashir), and grandmother, Dhanlakshmi (Jaya Bachchan), leave the venue in anger. Rani (Alia Bhatt) confronts them, challenging their regressive outlook in a pointed speech about the importance of embracing more progressive values.