Peak into how Bollywood movies celebrate Dussehra

Festivals are critical events in our lives. They help in bringing us together, under a common roof so that we can contribute as a part of a greater community. To avoid making them monotonous and insipid our ancestors came up with wonderful ideas to make the festival entertaining and engaging, that involved more and more people. 

The advent of modern-day mass media hasn’t taken away any sheen off the festivals as was expected during the initial days. Rather scripts are often fine-tuned to incorporate important festivals as a significant impetus to the storyline instead of remaining a mere spectacle. 

As we celebrate Dussehra today, let’s check out a few movies that came out recently and had the festival to convey the message of the ultimate victory of good over evil. 

Swades: 

The 2004 cult classic directed by Ashutosh Gowarikar had a narrative considered much ahead of the times by critics and laymen. During the song, Pal Pal Hai Bhaari, lead actor Shah Rukh Khan could be seen talking about emulating Lord Sri Rama’s life, while the lead actress Gayathri Joshi enacts a distressed Sita Devi detained at the Ashok Vatika by Raavan. 

Ra.One: 

Another Shah Rukh Khan starrer had him play a superhero. praised for the visual effects, the story had the undeniable message of good triumphing over evil. In one of the most recognizable scenes, actor Arjun Rampal, also the main antagonist Ra. One walks while the effigy of Raavan is seen burning in the background. 

Kalank: 

Though the 2019 drama managed to make a noise at the box office, it received some rave views for the visuals and the performances of a star cast. One of the most noticeable scenes of the film happens when the character Roop played by Alia Bhatt meets Varun Dhawan as Zafar for the first time. Once again, the burning effigy of Raavan could be seen in the background. 

Bajrangi Bhaijaan: 

The Salman mega-hit had him play a simpleton who crosses the Indo-Pak border to hand over a Pakistani girl back to her parents. In the Tu Chayiye song, Khan as the Lord Hanuman devotee and Kareena Kapoor-Khan as Rasika Pandey could be seen observing the festival of Dussehra with a group of children. 

Delhi 6: 

The social drama failed at the box office. But it was noted for raising some of the social issues relevant to our times. Throughout the movie, visuals of Ramlia crop up at times emphasising the presence of both good and evil within us. 

Kahaani: 

In the Vidya Balan thriller, the Vijayadashami celebrations depict a few Bengali ladies celebrating Sindoor Khela to immerse the goddess Durga’s idol. In the climax scene, Vidya Balan joins the procession and avenges her husband’s murder. After defeating evil, Durga Maa is returning to her abode, as symbolised by the last scene in which her idol is submerged in water. 

Brahmastra: 

The 2022 blockbuster has the main protagonist Shiva played by Ranbir Kapoor swaying to the song Dance Ka Bhoot during Dussehra while Raavan’s effigy is set on fire.