Hollywood movies with colourful Holi scenes: ‘Eat, Pray, Love,’ ‘Bride and Prejudice,' ‘Outsourced,’ and more

Holi, the festival of colours, has been a visual feast for many filmmakers to capture on screen. From ‘Rang Barse’ to ‘Balam Pichkari’, the vibrance of the festival has been very well emulated by several Bollywood filmmakers. But, over the years, the festival has crossed boundaries and captivated even international filmmakers to incorporate the joy and essence of the festival into their movies. That’s not all. International filmmakers have gone one step ahead and interpreted the philosophical meaning behind the festival in their own different ways to align with the movie's storyline.

Whether it’s catalyzing Lalita and Darcy’s quiet romance in ‘Bride and Prejudice’ or giving Liz a ray of hope through the language of colors in ‘Eat, Pray, Love,’ here are a few ways the festival of colors was interpreted differently by international filmmakers.

Directed by Gurinder Chadha, the film is a playful mix of Bollywood-style musical elements with a Jane Austen adaptation. During the Holi festivities, Lalita and Darcy use colours as a medium to communicate their feelings. It happens during the Amritsar sequence of the movie when Darcy is visiting the city. By throwing colors at one another, the protagonists not just break the ice but also take the first step towards an unspoken intimacy. For Darcy, who is a foreigner, the festival provides an opportunity to loosen up and step out of his personal bubble. As for Lalita, it is just another chance to get to know the man who is secretly crushing on her. Along with providing a great visual spectacle, the movie also shows subtle flirtation between the two characters, indicating the kindling of a romance.

In the movie, when the American manager Todd (Josh Hamilton) is invited by his co-workers to join the Holi celebrations, it is a major icebreaking moment. Though at first, Todd is hesitant to join the celebrations, he gradually gives in to the nudges of people around. The festival becomes a major turning point as it marks his acceptance in the community. Todd, who begins his journey into India as a foreigner, finds himself smothered in colours of all shades from head to toe.

While filming for the Bollywood movie 'Namaste Bombay,' the girls (Chanel, Dorinda, and Aqua ) find themselves in the midst of a random Holi celebration. The scene in this movie symbolises cultural immersion. Also, the music and colours provide the girls a much-needed respite from their work schedule. Much like the film’s concept of fusion, the colours also represent the blending of the Cheetah girls with that of the people of India. It also serves as a pause in the rivalry that the girls nurse towards one another and enjoy the festival temporarily.

The Holi scene in the movie is during the protagonist’s time in India, is one of the most visually uplifting and emotionally symbolic moments in her journey. There’s music, laughter, colors and the air around is carefree, which is a message to the heroine that life is not all black. For Liz, who has been battling a divorce, struggling with her inner demons and dwelling in the dark side of life, the colourful explosion feels refreshing. The festival of colours is a signal from the universe that she has been limiting herself so far. She needs to look beyond the problems she has been facing and realise that this is just one end of the spectrum and that there’s more to look forward to.

‘Million Dollar Arm’ (2014)

Starring Jon Hamm as sports agent J.B. Bernstein, the film follows his journey to India in search of cricket players who could become Major League Baseball pitchers. The Holi scene has the colours bright pink, yellow, green, and blue as crowds assemble for celebration. The festival of Holi compels J.B to look beyond the little world he has built for himself and provides room for him to escape monotony.