In Indian films, Ganesh Chaturthi has always featured as part of a larger cultural context, and as a reflection of Indian culture.
Ganesh Chaturthi, a major Hindu festival celebrating Lord Ganesha, falls on September 7 this year. The annual Hindu festival is marked with huge fervour across the country, and it is both vibrant and festive in nature. In fact, the festival’s spiritual significance has had a profound influence on Bollywood over the years.
In the earlier years of Bollywood (1950s-1980s), Ganesh Chaturthi was celebrated on screen in a more traditional and devotional manner, and the festival highlighted the religious and cultural significance of it. Mostly films were focused on family values, societal norms, and Ganesh Chaturhti, or any other festival, showcased the importance of traditional festivals in Indian life.
Moving into the 1990s-2000s, Ganesh Chaturthi was not just considered a festival but became an important viewpoint in furthering the plot. In the 1990s and early 2000s, there was a rise in films that depicted the festival set in urban realities. Films showcased the diverse cultural life of cities like Mumbai through the festival's celebrations. For instance, Satya (1998), helmed by Ram Gopal Varma, offers a raw portrayal of Mumbai’s underbelly, and the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations adds to its authenticity.
Another example is Vaastav: The Reality (1999), helmed by Mahesh Manjrekar. The film makes use of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations as a juxtaposition to the film’s sombre themes.
In the 2000s, Bollywood started showcasing the grandiose aspects of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, from elaborate sets to vibrant costumes, and high-octane music sequences. It turned the festival into a visual spectacle. Be it Agneepath (2012), directed by Karan Malhotra, which has a grand depiction of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in the song ‘Deva Shree Ganesha’, or Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) featuring the song ‘Bappa Morya’.
In recent years, Bollywood films enhance the film's emotion by celebrating such festivals. In films like Housefull 4 (2019) or Pati Patni Aur Woh (2019), Ganesh Chaturhi festivities have been used to add comedic and dramatic elements.
To say the least, Ganesh Chaturthi offers an authentic portrayal of Indian culture, thanks to the festival’s vibrancy and joyous nature. Over the years, Ganesh Chaturthi has changed from a traditional religious depiction to a more multifaceted event in Bollywood.
