5 Instances Where Holi Sequence In Bollywood Was Not A Happy Occasion
Holi has always provided Bollywood with the perfect opportunity to put some color into the narrative of the film, quite literally. Colors flying, people dancing and hero and heroine engaging in some light hearted banter and romantic chher-chhar, a Holi sequence adds just so much cinematic aesthetics to any film and Bollywood has never shied away from making the best out of this opportunity. However, Holi in Bollywood has also has been the backdrop of unfortunate incidents in Bollywood films. Here is remembering Bollywood Holi instances where the festival of colors did not end on a happy note
Damini
The film is remembered not only for the power packed performances by Meenakshi Sheshadri and Sunny Deol , but also for the disturbing Holi sequence. It is during Holi celebrations that Damini witnesses the brutal rape of her house maid Urmi, by her brother-in-law and his friends.
Darr
What has to be one of the creepiest part of the film is the way obsessive lover and stalker Rahul infiltrates the Holi celebration at Kiran’s house. He does not stop there and actually reveals himself to Kiran for the first time that obviously scares the living daylights out of Kiran and marred the happy mood of celebration for her and her family.
Sholay
Nothing is more tragic than a fun filled Holi celebration coming to a screeching halt due to dacoits attacking your village. But sadly that is exactly what happens in Sholay. Although Jai and Veeru manages to successfully save the village from the vicious attack of Gabbar, but not before he lays carnage on the idyllic village of Rampur. It is also during the same sequence that the audience gets to know about the tragic truth of Gabbar slicing off Thakur’s hands. I can’t think of a more depressing end to Holi celebrations.
Toilet: Ek Prem Katha
The song is truly beautifully shot and the famous Holi celebration of Vrindavan and its unique ritual of wives hitting their husbands with a stick is beautifully captured. However, the mix of love and frustration with which Jaya keeps hitting Keshav reflect the pain of separation so expertly that you can’t help the knot forming in your throat. The bittersweet emotion in the scene does not exactly paint a picture of Bollywood Holi celebrations as we know it.
Harassment Anthems
This one is not an instance from a single film, but we are talking about the myriad of ways in which Bollywood Holi celebrations has justified harassment over the years. From cringe worthy lyrics to violation of space and blatant disregard of consent, a large chunk of Bollywood’s Holi song is a sad reflection of Bollywood normalizing and sometimes even glorifying harassment with the justification ‘Bura Na Maano, Holi Hai’.
Updated: March 20, 2019 05:14 PM IST
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