Karwa Chauth 2023: From DDLJ to K3G, Bollywood films that depicted the festival in a larger-than-life manner

Over the years, Bollywood has bestowed its fans with songs and scenes to cherish every festival. The Hindu festival, Karwa Chauth has a special place in movies. Its depiction of Hindu women observing fast for the health, love, and longevity of their husbands and marriage, has been etched in cinephiles’ hearts differently. In Aditya Chopra’s Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, the Karwa Chauth signified undying love, while Karan Johar’s Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham gave a gala celebration. As we celebrate Karwa Chauth today, let’s analyse how Bollywood made the festival memorable and grander.

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge:

Karwa Chauth in Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol’s Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge showcased love in its raw form. There is a scene in Aditya Chopra’s 1995 film that shows Simran pretending to faint in front of her family only to drink water from the hands of her Raj to break her fast. The film not only celebrates the pious fasting festival in its purest form but also gives birth to the tradition of fasting in men. In another adorable scene, the two lovers–Raj and Simran break their fast together.

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham:

Karan Johar presented the high galore Karwa Chauth celebration on Bole Chudiyan song in his 2001 film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. The unsaid emotions between iconic Poo(Kareena Kapoor Khan) and Ladoo(Hrithik Roshan), the bubbliness of married couple Anjali and Rahul(Kajol and Shah Rukh Khan) and the dream sequence of Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan joining the celebration was wholesome. The film also explains the Sargi tradition in its purest form in one of the scenes.

Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam showcased a subtle romantic sequence between Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan on the occasion of Karwa Chauth. It also showed the pain of the female lead who reminisced about the happy time with her lover when she celebrated the festival after her marriage with her husband played by Ajay Devgn. The makers also composed a beautiful song, Chand Chhupa Badal Mein, which struck a chord with every married woman on the occasion of Karwa Chauth.

Biwi No.1

In Salman Khan, Karisma Kapoor and Sushmita Sen starrer Biwi No.1(1999), Karwa Chauth festival played a crucial role in giving a plot twist. Unlike other movies, the film showcased a dramatic scene of the falling of the Karwa Chauth thali and Suhaag essentials signifying the end of marriage. In a scene, Salman’s character deals with both of his wives observing Karva Chauth vrat for him. While Sushmita’s character goes through the rituals, Karisma’s character is shocked to know about her husband’s extramarital affair.

Animal

The makers of Ranbir Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna starrer Animal recently dropped the song Satranga, wherein the duo is seen celebrating the auspicious festival of Karwa Chauth. The song depicts steamy chemistry between Ranbir and Rashmika's characters, however, the festival night also leads to a fight.