Holi, the festival of colours, has been depicted in films ever since one remembers.  

Bollywood has featured a number of popular and iconic Holi songs that have become a part of our celebrations be it Amitabh Bachchan’s Rang Barse, Rajesh Khanna’s Aaj Na Chodenge, Dharmendra’s Holi Ke Din and Ranbir Kapoor’s Balam Pichkari etc.   

However, there have been times when a Holi sequence has been weaved into a film’s plot in such a way that it not only becomes an important plot point but also helps in moving further. 

Here are 7 such Holi sequences in some of the most popular films:  

1. Sholay (1975) 

© Sippy Films

Often touted as the greatest film ever made, Sholay is an all-time classic and features some of the most memorable songs, performances and sequences. And how can anyone forget the iconic dialogue, “Holi Kab Hai?”  

Well, the film features two such sequences. The first one marks the first-ever interaction of dreaded dacoit Gabbar Singh with Veeru & Jai that leads to a thrilling fight sequence and a massive revelation about Thakur. 

Of course, it starts with an equally iconic song Holi Ke Din. 

The second sequence is from a flashback scene where we see Radha’s life before she got married. 

2. Silsila (1981) 

© yash Raj Films

Perhaps the most iconic Holi song ever, Rang Barse features Amitabh and Rekha’s sizzling chemistry and eventually, leads to major problems in their respective married lives and confrontations with their better halves. 

3. Damini (1993) 

© Red Chillies Entertainment

Rajkumar Santoshi’s Damini features a disturbing Holi sequence where lead characters witness rape of their house help and this leads to the main plot of the film and the arrival of Sunny Deol’s iconic character lawyer Govind. 

4. Darr (1994) 

© yash Raj Films

There are several thrilling sequences in this Yash Chopra directorial and one among them is the Holi sequence where Shah Rukh Khan’s Rahul, the obsessive lover, smears Juhi Chawla’s Kiran with colours in broad daylight and in the presence of her fiance played by Sunny Deol. 

What follows next is a thrilling chase sequence that keeps you on the edge of your seat. 

5. Mohabbatein (2000) 

© yash Raj Films

In the film, Amitabh Bachchan’s Narayan Shankar, who is a strict principal of Gurukul and follows his principles religiously, lets go of his two rules for Shah Rukh Khan’s charming Raj Aryan as the two forget their differences for a while. 

As Raj puts a teeka on Narayan Shankar’s forehead, he gives permission for the boys to play Holi outside the school premise.

6. Ram Leela (2013) 

© Bhansali Productions

Holi sequence in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Ram Leela becomes the first time that the lead pair meet each other and sparks fly. 

We then witness a sensuous Holi song in Lahu Muh Lag Gaya. 

7. Jolly LLB 2 (2017) 

© Fox Star Studios

While the Holi song 'Let’s Nacho' is forgettable, the sequence ends on a tragic note as Sayami Gupta’s character realises she has been duped by Akshay Kumar’s Jolly and dies by suicide. 

This incident leads to a change of heart in our lead character.

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