It’s January, and that means it’s time for the winter harvest in numerous parts of India. This also marks the date for several festivities surrounding the harvest season. During this time, India lights up with the vibrant celebrations of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, and Pongal. These festivals are all about gratitude, renewal, and community bonding.
This year India celebrates Lohri on January 13, 2025, whereas Pongal celebrations start on January 14, 2025, and and continue until January 17, 2025. Meanwhile, Makar Sankranti will be celebrated on January 14, 2025. No matter what festival you celebrate, no matter what part of the world you’re in, movies have a way of brightening up your celebrations. Today, let’s take a look at such movies that embody the spirit of Lohri, Makar Sankranti, and Pongal, or simply make for great watches during these festivities.
Lohri: The Bonfire Festival
Lohri is predominantly celebrated in Punjab and northern parts of India. It signifies the end of winter and the arrival of longer days. Marked by bonfires, traditional folk songs, and dances like Bhangra and Gidda, this is one of the most awaited festivals. Now, if you’re looking for Lohri movies, Bollywood has some amazing options that showcase the festival’s spirit through memorable songs and scenes.
Movies to Watch on Lohri
- Veer Zaara: Starring Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta in the lead roles, Veer Zaara is a love story that goes beyond national borders. In it, the song “Lodi” that happens when Zaara Veer’s village in Punjab captures the festive fervor perfectly. It depicts how families come together to celebrate around the bonfire.
- Yamla Pagla Deewana: Starring Dharmendra, Sunny Deol, and Bobby Deol in the lead roles, Yamla Pagla Deewana is a family entertainer that is perfect for Lohri. In this movie, the vibrant and cheerful song “Charha De Rang” beautifully encapsulates the festive spirit of Punjab during Lohri. The colorful attire, traditional dances, and the simple joy in the atmosphere would remind you of the Lohri in Punjab.
Makar Sankranti: The Kite Festival
Makar Sankranti is a festival celebrated across different parts of India. It marks the sun’s transition into Capricorn aka Makar, hence the name. In Maharashtra, people exchange sweets made of sesame and jaggery known as tilgul, and greet each other with the phrase, “Tilgul ghya, god god bola” which translates to “Take this sweet and speak sweetly”. People also fly kites to celebrate new beginnings. In Gujarat, Makar Sankranti is also known as Uttarayan, and people celebrate the festival by going to the rooftops with colorful kites, competing to cut each other’s kite strings. They also eat special foods like undhiyu (a mixed vegetable dish) and sweets like chikki to celebrate the festival. Now, if you’re looking for Makar Sankranti movies to watch Bollywood has some great options that showcase the celebrations during this festival.
Movies to Watch on Makar Sankranti
- Kai Po Che!: Starring Rajkummar Rao, Amit Sadh, and Sushant Singh Rajput in his debut role, Kai Po Che! is a story of friendship set against the backdrop of significant political events in Gujarat. It features a memorable Makar Sankranti sequence highlighting the kite-flying celebrations done during the festival.
- Raees: Starring Shah Rukh Khan and Mahira Khan in lead roles, Raees is a crime drama that revolves around a bootlegger Raees Alam who must face ACP Majmudar to keep his business afloat. This film includes the festive song “Udi Udi Jaye,” capturing the essence of Makar Sankranti as SRK and Mahira are seen flying kites with their friends.
Pongal: The Harvest Festival
Pongal is a four-day harvest festival celebrated mainly in Tamil Nadu. Dedicated to the Sun God, this year the festival is celebrated from January 14 to January 17, 2025. It’s a time of thanking the gods for the harvest and the celebration includes cooking the traditional dish called ‘Pongal.’ Tamil cinema, or Kollywood, often releases major films during this period, aligning with the festive spirit. This year as well you’ll see several Pongal movies releasing across TV channels, OTT platforms, and more.
Movies to Watch on Pongal
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- Viduthalai Part-1: Starring Vijay Sethupathi and Soori in prominent roles, Viduthalai Part-1 is a gripping movie that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat. While you wait for the Viduthalai Part-2 OTT release, watch the prequel on ZEE5 to keep the excitement high.
- Amaran: Starring Sivakarthikeyan, Sai Pallavi, Rahul Bose, and Bhuvan Arora, Amaran is a Tamil biographical action war film centered around the valor and dedication of Major Varadarajan. It is a compelling watch you can enjoy during the Pongal festival.
Concluding Thoughts
These films are perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in the festive spirit from the comfort of their homes. They not only entertain but also provide a window into the diverse cultural practices associated with Lohri, Makar Sankranti, and Pongal. So without further ado, make some popcorn, and start streaming these movies NOW!
