Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Bollywood Films With Iconic Ganpati Moments

Vaastav: The Reality (1999)



The Ganpati sequence in Vaastav is built around the devotional track Shendur Lal Chadhayo, the Ganesh aarti sung by Ravindra Sathe. The sequence features Raghu (Sanjay Dutt) and his family in a devotional setting. The aarti creates a striking contrast with the increasingly dangerous world Raghu has entered as he becomes entangled in Mumbai's criminal underworld.

In Farhan Akhtar's adaptation of Don (2006), the Ganpati visarjan scene is one of the most crucial points of the narrative. The scene unfolds right after a high-intensity chase between Don (Shah Rukh Khan) and the police. Severely injured, Don slips into a coma and at this juncture, we are introduced to his lookalike, Vijay, through the song Mourya Re. The scene captures the festive spirit as well as marks Vijay's entry into the plot and sets the stage for the double-identity twist.  

My Friend Ganesha (2007)
While Ganpati celebrations served as a backdrop in the films mentioned above and were mostly used as a cover for crime, My Friend Ganesha (2007) brought the festival into the realm of children's cinema. It revolved around a boy, played by Ahsaas Channa, who found a friend in Ganesha. An animated version of Lord Ganesha followed him and helped him resolve all his problems. The Rajiv S Ruia directorial blended devotion and fantasy.

Agneepath (2012)

Agneepath (2012) is a remake of the 1990 film of the same name that starred Amitabh Bachchan. The adaptation stars Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra, Sanjay Dutt and Rishi Kapoor among others. The song Deva Shree Ganesha quickly became an anthem of Ganesh Chaturthi festivities but its presence in the film was more than celebratory. The grand puja sequence of Bappa also played a crucial role in the story with a crime unfolding that becomes a turning point for the characters.

ABCD (2013) is a visual treat for dance lovers and its final act, Sadda Dil Vi Tu, dedicated to Bappa, is a culmination of the group's journey, their struggles and their triumph. Directed by Remo D'Souza, the film starred Prabhu Deva, Ganesh Acharya, Dharmesh Yelande, Salman Yusuff and Lauren Gottlieb among others. The story reaches its peak when dancer and choreographer Vishnu's (Prabhu Deva) team realises that their dance routine has been copied by their rival group during the finals of a dance competition. With almost no time in hand, they have to craft a new dance routine on the spot, and who do they turn to? Ganpati Bappa. They deliver a breathtaking Ganpati act, channelling their emotions into dance and paying a heartfelt tribute to Lord Ganesha.

In Sarkar 3, Amitabh Bachchan's Subhash Nagre performs an aarti by Juhu beach, with Bachchan himself lending his voice to the devotional track. But the scene carries an ominous undertone. The prayer is suddenly shattered by an attack on Nagre, turning what begins as a moment of devotion into a tense assassination attempt.