Durga Puja 2025: How Hindi, Bengali Cinema Celebrate Autumnal Festival

'Tis the season of Navratri! Every year, people across India unite to celebrate the enchanting and joyous festival for nine straight days. Goddess Durga is worshipped in her nine holy forms. On the eighth day comes Durga Ashtami, the day when devotees offer prayers to Goddess Durga. It's also the time when Durga Puja takes place. Over the years, Puja has been well depicted in many Hindi films and Bengali films.Be it in Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's Devdas or Jisshu Sengupta and Sara Sengupta's Uma, Durga Puja has been portrayed with much bhakti in both Hindi and Bengali cinema. However, there are subtle similarities and differences in the way how the festival is depicted. Ahead of Durga Ashtami 2025, here's looking at how Durga Puja is portrayed on the silver

screen.Starting with Devdas, Sanjay Leela Bhansali depicted Durga Puja in Aishwarya aka Paro's household in his magnum opus film. The festival was celebrated with much joy and devotion. Apart from Goddess Durga being worshipped, one saw the soul-stirring dance sequences during the Puja. SLB, known for his opulent film sets, added a lot of grandeur to the festival in his 2002 film.

Another Hindi film that comes to one's mind at the thought of Durga Puja is Vidya Balan, Sanjay Dutt and Saif Ali Khan's Parineeta. Released in the year 2005, the Pradeep Sarkar film celebrated the auspicious festival by showcasing the traditional rituals, and the iconic Kumartuli idol makers. In this movie, the Durga Puja also symbolised personal and societal conflicts of its characters. At the same time, the festival was celebrated with much grandeur, similar to what was portrayed in Devdas.ALSO READ - Ray And Durga: Cultural Canvas In The Mystery Of Joy Baba FelunathYears later, Vidya's another film,

Kahaani was released in theatres. Director Sujoy integrated the Durga Puja festival well in the film's suspenseful narrative. In the 2012 film, Durga Puja wasn't just a part of the narrative. It was well in sync with the lead heroine's character's quest for justice. Interestingly, the festival was portrayed with larger-than-life visuals, the traditional drummers and the enchanting atmosphere.

One thing common in these Hindi films is that the makers relied heavily on grandeur, music and stunning visuals to depict Durga Puja on the big screen. Then, how does Durga Puja depiction differ in Bengali cinema? Let's take a look...Released in the year 2000, Rituparno Ghosh's

Utsab portrayed the reunion of dysfunctional family during the Durga Puja celebrations. The joyous festival became a backdrop for personal revelations and generational conflicts. In this film, Rituparna showcased the traditional rituals of the festival, while also focussing the family drama. Unlike the Hindi films, Utsab didn't rely much on the grandeur, but the simplicity and authenticity of the festival.

Years after Utsab was released, came Ekannoborti in 2021, set against the backdrop of Durga Puja. It followed the story of family members reuniting at their native residence during the festival. While Utsab highlighted the familial tension, Maniak Bhaumik's film focused on tradition, spirit of positivity and familial bond. But the one thing that remained common between both movies is the depiction of Durga Puja - which was more intimate, deeply and traditionally rooted.Apart from Utsab and Ekannoborti, it Srijit Mukerji's 2018 film Uma where Durga Puja was an integral part. It followed the story of a terminally ill young girl Uma, who wished to experience Durga Puja festival in Kolkata. In order to fulfill her wish, her father hires a filmmaker to stage Durga Puja celebration months before it is scheduled to happen. In Uma, Durga Puja was central to the film's plot.

Considering the above-mentioned Hindi and Bengali films, one can say that Durga Puja has been celebrated well across the two industries. The major difference remains to be the way Hindi films celebrate the festival with much grandeur and enthusiasm while Bengali cinema keeps it homely and deeply rooted in traditions and simplicity.