Film Critic Dilip Thakur elaborates, “Diwali in the black-and-white era of filmswas very plain. It was a simple and poor people’s Diwali. Some of the films to depict the festival were Ghar Ghar Mein Diwali in 1955 and Ghar Mein Diwali in 1956.Diwali slowly became grand and more glamorous in cinema.”
He adds, “Even the songs were more about situations and more often sad songs like Ghar Ghar Mein Diwali Mere Ghar Mein Andhera Kyon from Kismat were most talked-about. Other memorable songs were Deepawali Manayi Suhani from Saibaba of Shirdi, How to celebrate Diwali from Paigham and Deep Diwali from Jugnu. One should not forget Guide in which the song Piya Toh Se Naina Laage had all the festival glimpses in it.”
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Screenwriter Rumy Jaffri has said that cinema has always been a reflection of society and society has been represented in the cinema from time to time. Dilip Thakur explains situations in cinema that had Diwali scenes. He said, “In Zanjeer, the villain Ajit goes to kill Vijay’s (Amitabh Bachchan) parents on the day of Diwali. It was often used in flashbacks in the film. Then there is a scene in Vaastav when Sanjay Dutt returns home after becoming a gangster to meet his mother on Diwali.”
Diwali became glamorous with Rajshri films and it started with Who are you?. Thakur says, “The Dhiktana song was picturised on the backdrop of Diwali. After that Diwali became very rich in cinema; be it Mohabbatein, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and more. The Devdas song Silsila Yeh Chahat Ka has been the most glamourous song picturised on the festival of lights.”
Diwali has always been special for Hindi films and often film mahurats have taken place on that day. Subhash Ghai’s film Karma and Trine were launched on Diwali day. Today, Diwali has almost disappeared from films. Now, Diwali is the most sought-after release for big-ticket films. Shah Rukh Khan’s Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge is celebrating its 28th Diwali in cinema halls and is one of the best release dates for all Shah Rukh Khan films too.
Shah, Rukh Khan’s Baazijgar, Dil Toh Pagal Hai, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Don, Veer ZaaraOm Shanti Om, Dilwale, and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, in which he made a guest appearance, were released on Diwali.
