Here's how Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge? captured the authenticity of Ganesh Chaturthi

The 2010 Ajay Devgn starrer is a heartwarming reminder that the true spirit of Ganesh Chaturthi is found not in grand displays, but in the simple act of opening your heart and home!

It's the most joyous time of the year in Mumbai as the city prepares to welcome its beloved Lord Ganesha. The vibrant atmosphere of the bazaars and pandaals has filled the air with a festive spirit and while I’m all for hearty celebrations, the festival these days feels like a grand display of power and wealth, instead of a sincere tribute to the deity. Bollywood too has amplified the idea of reducing it to a spectacle through some over-the-top depictions.

But then there are those rare films that showcase the festival's true essence, that is, a genuine, heartfelt celebration aimed at bringing people together and the 2010 blockbuster, Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge? was a perfect example of this. The Ashwni Dhir directorial, starring Ajay Devgn, Paresh Rawal and Konkona Sen Sharma, explored the chaos that unfolds in the life of a nuclear family after an unwanted guest arrives at their home. The film was a laugh riot but also had a thoughtful message about cherishing and respecting your relationships, especially ones with the elderly. And a large part of it was achieved through its Ganesh Chaturthi sequences.

What particularly resonated with me about the plot was how the presence of the elephant headed God inspired a change of hearts. My own experience with the festival has taught me that Lord Ganesha’s arrival isn't just a religious event, it's a spiritual reset. Remember how the perpetually busy neighbours come together for aartis and how Puneet (Ajay Devgn) steers through financial trouble when his bank manager turns out to be an acquaintance of Chacha ji (Paresh Rawal)? The high-point for me was when Director Taneja (Satish Kaushik), Puneet’s former boss comes to apologise and reconcile with him after arrogantly kicking him out of his film as a writer over Chacha ji’s mistake. The scene depicted how these festive occasions provide you with the perfect occasion to reflect on your actions, set aside your ego or differences and offer a fresh start to connections we truly value, or sometimes, simply for our own peace. 

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But here’s where Puneet and Munmun’s (Konkana Sen Sharma) character arcs are met with their emotional climax. When Chacha ji goes missing in the crowd, the initial panic shifts their perspective entirely - they begin to frantically search for the man they desperately wanted to get rid of in the first place. The fear of losing him forces the couple to confront their true feelings and realise the importance of the experience, support and positivity that Chacha ji or the presence of any elderly brings in a household. The process of searching for him following the stampede transforms them as humans as they now realise that the man who was once a nuisance is now family. This sequence shows how the festival's spiritual essence inspires compassion and teaches us a lesson about love and loss.

I firmly believe, Ganesh Chaturthi or any other festive occasion serves as a pause button on our busy lives, forcing us to slow down, reflect on our own selves and reconnect with what truly matters - relationships. In this movie, the couple’s journey from self-centred humans to the one filled with compassion is a beautiful testament to this. It profoundly resonated with me as I've seen it in my own home, how the simple act of performing aarti together is capable of mending unspoken disagreements or getting visited by people we rarely get to see owing to tight schedules, filling us with joy and rekindling some long lost bonds. The chanting, the earthy aroma of dubs and hawans, and the collective devotion does create an atmosphere of humility and forgiveness that transforms one spiritually to some extent. 

Lord Ganesha is a symbol of new beginnings, wisdom and the remover of obstacles. ‘Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge?’ makes brilliant use of the festive spirit to give Puneet and Munmum the grace to see their guest not as an inconvenience but as family and think beyond their convenience. As a believer, I’ve always felt that welcoming Bappa into our home also means opening our hearts to others, being a little more patient, and letting go of pointless grudges or prejudices we might hold as perfectly flawed humans. This film's portrayal of that lesson, to me, is reminder that true celebration isn't in the grand festivities outside but in the small, sacred changes that take place within all of us!

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