It’s spring season now and it’s almost time for the festival of colours! Holi is not just about putting colours on each other, it’s also the celebration of light, joy and harmony. It’s also the celebration of the triumph of good over evil. As the festival approaches, it’s the perfect opportunity to indulge in some cinematic delights that capture the essence of Holi. From mythological stories to fun animations to Bollywood classics, we have created a list of movies perfect to match the delight of this much awaited festival!
Here’s a curated list of the top 10 Bollywood movies to watch on Holi – guaranteed to add an extra dose of joy and entertainment to your celebrations!
1. Bhakta Prahlada (1983)
- Genre: Mythological Drama
- Run Time: 148 minutes
- Director: Vijay
- Cast: Rajkumar, Saritha, Ananth Nag, Puneeth Rajkumar
- IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
Bhakta Prahlad is a 1983 mythological drama directed by Vijay. It shows a remarkable account of Prahlad, the young devotee of Lord Vishnu who defies his demon king father, Hiranyakashipu. A remarkable account of Prahlad, the young devotee of Lord Vishnu who defies his demon king father, Hiranyakashipu. Bhakta Prahlada is filled with epic battles, stunning visuals, and powerful performances that capture Holi’s core message: the triumph of good over evil. Prahlad is Hiranyakashipu’s son, a mighty demon king who declares himself as God and orders his subjects to worship him. However, Prahlad rebels against his dad and continues to be Lord Vishnu’s staunch devotee. The film depicts the clash between Prahlad’s unyielding faith and Hiranyakashipu’s oppressive rule. Watch this classic movie to lighten up your Holi celebration!
2. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013)
- Genre: Romance/Drama
- Run Time: 160 minutes
- Director: Ayan Mukerji
- Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Aditya Roy Kapur, Kalki Koechlin
- IMDB Rating: 7.2/10
Directed by Ayan Mukherjee, “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” not only tells a love story but also celebrates youth which is full of life and energy, and the vibrant chaos of Holi. The film has a star cast including Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor, Kalki Koechlin, and Aditya Roy Kapur. In the story, Kabir “Bunny” Thapar (Ranbir Kapoor) is a carefree boy who dreams of seeing the world. This journey crosses paths with Naina Talwar (played by Deepika Padukone), a serious and quiet girl who desires adventure in her life. Their paths entwine as they set out on a self-discovery trip about friendship and love. A pivotal scene during Holi creates a lot of emotional shifts and changes in the friends’ dynamics, with the music video, “Balam Pichkari” being a hit among the audience.
3. Hari Darshan (1972)
- Genre: Mythological Drama
- Run Time: 159 minutes
- Director: Chandrakant Gaur
- Cast: B. Saroja Devi, Randhawa, Satyajeet Puri, Mehmood
- IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
Released in 1972, “Hari Darshan ” is another classic tale of Prahlad directed by Chandrakant. Hari Darshan offers a deeper dive into his unwavering faith and devotion to Lord Vishnu. The movie tells a story about Prahlad who is a zealous devotee of Bhagwan Vishnu and who suffers from Emperor Hiranyakashyap’s persecution for his faith. Though he was ordered to worship the king, Prahlad remains resolute in his devotion to Lord Vishnu. This makes Prahlad become the target of the emperor for practicing his religion, however he still keeps his faith under the grace of Lord Vishnu. In addition, the film shows some avatars of Lors Vishnu that represent constant fighting between good and evil.
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4. The Last Colour (2019)
- Genre: Drama
- Run Time: 90 minutes
- Director: Vikas Khanna
- Cast: Neena Gupta, Aqsa Siddiqui, Rajeshwar Khanna, Rudrani Chettri
- IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
Directed by Vikas Khanna, “The Last Colour” is not your typical Holi movie movie with joyful celebrations. Starring, Neena Gupta, the film revolves around an unusual friendship between Noor, a widow who is marginalized by society and Chhoti, a tightrope walker. Their relationship blossoms as they approach the Holi season which is forbidden to widows. The movie uses Holi as a symbolism of hope and joy and the will to break free from societal restrictions.
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5. Prahlad (2009)
- Genre: Animation, Mythological
- Run Time: 80 minutes
- Director: Rakesh Prasad
- IMDB Rating: 7.3/10
Are you searching for an entertainment film that is suited for all family members? “Prahlad”, a 2009 animation film directed by Rakesh Prasad, narrates the story of Prahlad in an exciting manner. This makes it possible to introduce kids to the myth of Holi and the true story of Prahlad through lively animation, melodious songs and simplified moral themes which reflect upon good versus evil. This movie is available to watch on Shemaroo Kids YouTube channel.
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6. Silsila (1981)
- Genre: Romance/Drama
- Run Time: 160 minutes
- Director: Yash Chopra
- Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Jaya Bachchan, Rekha
- IMDB Rating: 7.2/10
Directed by Yash Chopra, “Silsila” is a romantic drama starring Amitabh Bachhan, Jaya Bachhan, and Rekha. The story follows two close brothers, Amit and Shekhar. When Shekhar dies, Ami is forced to marry his brother’s pregnant wife, having to leave his girlfriend. The story then continues with their lives as they deal with the consequences of their actions. The visually stunning song “Rang Barse” is an energetic celebration of Holi, making it popular among fans. This classic film will gear you up for the festivities.
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7. Vishnu Puran (Story of Prahlad)
- Genre: Mythological Drama/ Adventure
- Episodes: 22-34
- Director: Ravi Chopra
- Cast: Nitish Bharadwaj, Nimai Bali, Mahendra Ghule, Kinshuk Vaidya, Yashodhan Rana
- IMDB Rating: 8.7/10
If you have a little more time on your hands, then “Vishnu Puran” is a famous mythological television drama series that offers an in-depth understanding of the Prahlad saga. In particular, it is Episodes 22–34, which concentrate on how Prahlad refused to obey his father and the eventual triumph of good over evil. Those who want a thorough representation of this fable will find it very interesting. Directed by Ravi Chopra, this TV serial thoroughly shows Hiranyakashyap’s story, his boon, and Prahlad’s story. Hiranyakashyap tries several means to kill him, only for Prahlad to be preserved by the divine grace of Lord Vishnu at all times.
8. Dashavatar (2008)
- Genre: Animation/Mythology
- Run Time: 119 minutes
- Director: Bhavik Thakore
- Narration: Shatrughan Sinha
- IMDB Rating: 6.6/10
“Dashavatar” is a 2008 animated mythology that takes us deep into the tales of Lord Vishnu and his ten avatars. This movie beautifully talks about the stories about each of the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu, starting from Matsya (the fish) to Kalki (the warrior on horseback). The animation is so well done that it brings alive many colourful characters and complex narratives from ancient Indian myths. Each avatar of Lord Vishnu is a propagator of bringing justice to the world. “Dashavatar” is one of the best examples of the good versus evil narrative, thus making it a perfect watch during Holi!
9. Bhakt Prahlad (2007)
- Genre: Animation/Mythological
- Run Time: 51 minutes
- Director: Sreenivasan
- IMDB Rating: N/A
“Bhakt Prahlad” is one more option that has animation for the kids. This too tells us the story of Hiranyakashyap and his son, Prahlad. Also, this movie is just as catchy and attractive to kids as Prahlad (2009) with colorful animations, lovely songs and a shorter account of the legend of Prahlad. This kids animation movie is directed by Sreenivasan. You can watch this on Amazon Prime.
10. Holi Ka Dahan (2022)
- Genre: Drama
- Run Time: 19 minutes
- Director: Nitin Neera Chandra
- Cast: Anuritta K Jha, Kranti Prakash Jha, Rohit Bhatnagar
- IMDB Rating: N/A
Directed by Nitin Neera Chandra, “Holi Ka Dahan” is a 2022 short film. The story follows a girl as she navigates while struggling to break free from her abusive boyfriend. The film slowly unravels how the girl is treated badly by her boyfriend, and like any other abusive relationship, she is subjected to constant yelling, arguing, suspicion, and mistreatment. She finally gathers the courage to get out of the toxic cycle through an act in the Holi Ka Dahan pyre. The story portrays bravery and courage in the face of emotional abuse. This film is perfect for anyone who wants to see the positive during hard times. This short is available to watch on MX Player.
We hope you like the list we have curated here. Become fully absorbed in the enchantment of Indian movies this Holi by bringing on these films! This film perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the festival.
