My Friend Ganesha was an interesting animation film that explored the relationship between deity and a child. This was a children’s film but appealing to adults. Around this time two filmmakers, Farhan Akhtar and Karan Johar remade their fathers’ films and both included a Ganpati to add masti and fervour. While Shah Rukh Khan danced energetically in Don Hrithik Roshan was sheer magic in Agneepath. A film I cannot get out of mind is Marathi film Ventilator where the opening credits portray all the sounds and images associated with the vibrant festival – all the colours and the splendour and the end credits repeat the grandeur when the ailing patriarch in the hospital for many days recovers and comes home to celebrate the festival with family.
So many of our film personalities have been bringing the deity over for years. Some, to their work place and some to their abode, some, quietly and some in all its glory. Rajesh Khanna did as long as he lived, so did Raj Kapoor. Singer Nitin Mukesh, director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, actors Anil Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor. I have visited all these homes for decades. Two years ago, it was during the festival that Rishi Kapoor went through his tests and last year, for the first time, the family was not at home to host the deity. But Ganesha is back to his favourite address only Rishi Kapoor is not home to receive him.