‘Parineeta’ to ‘Anusandhan’: Memorable dhunuchi dance sequences in Hindi films and web series

Dhunuchi dance is an inseparable part of Durga Puja festivities. And it has been prominently featured in Hindi films and web series too, to showcase Bengali culture and mount dramatic festive sequences. As the ongoing celebrations of Durga Puja are in full throttle, here is a look at a few scenes which stand out.

Anusandhan (1981)

Inspector Abhijeet (Amitabh Bachchan) engages in a high-stakes, competitive face-off against the villain Kaliram (Amjad Khan) during the Durga Puja festival. They challenge each other to a rhythmic dhaak-playing duel right in front of the Goddess Durga idol.

Parineeta (2005)

Pradeep Sarkar’s romantic drama is deeply rooted in Kolkata and opens with a grand Durga Puja sequence. Shekhar (Saif Ali Khan) performs a traditional dhunuchi dance in front of the Durga idol to the heavy rhythm of the dhaaks, while Lolita (Vidya Balan) watches over him and picks up burnt coconut shells. Later in the film, Girish (Sanjay Dutt) also takes up the earthen pot and delivers an energetic dhunuchi performance.

Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023)

The film’s high-energy song Dhindhora Baje Re is set against a massive, vibrant Durga Puja pandal. The choreography heavily showcases the ensemble cast and background dancers aggressively performing with smoking dhunuchis to emphasise the fierce power of the festival.

The Revolutionaries (2026)

Composed by Shreyas Puranik, Jai Durga from The Revolutionaries celebrates the power of Maa Durga. Featuring Bhuvan Bam, Rohit Saraf and Pratibha Ranta, the song, sung by Puranik, Raja Hasan, Divya Kumar and Altamash Faridi, the track celebrates the power of the divine feminine.