Some people like to spend their Holi getting drenched in bright gulaal, while others prefer to watch from a distance. If you fall in the latter category, this list is for you. Experience the clean, rich colours on celluloid this Holi with this specially curated list of films that bring together (almost) every shade of the rainbow.
Bulbbul
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A powerful feminist supernatural thriller film, written and directed by Anvita Dutt, Bulbbul released on Netflix in 2020. It depicts the life of a child bride in 1880’s Bengal. Dutt uses red and blue tints freely in the film to capture the mood of the plot. The grandeur of Bengal and its architecture is realised through rich but subtle tones in this film, alongside superb performances by Tripti Dimri and Rahul Bose.
Watch on Netflix
Charlie & the Chocolate Factory
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Tim Burton’s films are also known for their fantastical visual identities. Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, based on the book by the same name by legendary writer Roald Dahl, is no different. Though the story was written for children, it’s one that appeals to people of all ages, and is filled with gushing chocolate waterfalls, candy-coloured boats, edible forests, and candy cane trees. Sit with a bowl of candy right by your side for this one, because you’re going to be tempted to eat some.
Watch on Amazon Prime Video
Devdas
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Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s films are known for their unparalleled artistry and extravagance. Devdas, a 2002 film directed by Bhansali is the best example of this. Aishwarya Rai’s character’s grand haveli with stained glass window details, protagonist Devdas’ aristocratic British-style home and Madhuri Dixit’s brothel required extensive research, and the sets reportedly cost a total of ₹200 million. The costumes, cinematography and direction in Devdas make this three-hour film pass by in a jiffy.
Watch on Netflix
Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela
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Another Sanjay Leela Bhansali film, this one makes it to the list not only for its brilliantly lit scenes, but also its memorable Holi sequence. The husband-and-wife duo, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone set the screen ablaze with their playful Holi scene in the song Lahu Muh Lag Gaya. The film was shot mostly in real-life locations as Bhansali wanted to capture the grit of real life. An earthy colour palette of rich reds, blues, pinks and yellows saturates the film, and costumes by Anju Modi only add to the lavish chaos of hues.
Watch on Amazon Prime Video
La La Land
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Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling star in this Academy Award winning film that portrays Hollywood in technicolour. Everyone remembers the popular still of Stone in a bright yellow dress and Gosling in a perfectly fitted shirt and tie dancing it out under the purple night sky of LA. The big bright colour palette of the film is a homage to grand old Hollywood musicals.
Watch on Amazon Prime Video
Loving Vincent
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While this may not be an expected rush of colours, Loving Vincent is a beauty to behold. A fully painted animated feature film, it explores what might have passed during the last tortured days of the life of famous artist Vincent van Gogh. The scenes are rendered in the painting style of the beloved Dutch master with shades of ochre, Prussian blue, vermillion, raw sienna, and white colouring the screen.
Watch on Amazon Prime Video
Tamasha
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Imtiaz Ali’s Tamasha opened to mixed reviews. However, two things can be agreed upon, the chemistry between lead actors Deepika Padukone and Ranbir Kapoor, and the film’s visual attractive cinematography. Part of the film is shot in the gorgeous island of Corsica and those scenes are coloured in bright tones, while segments shot in Delhi and Kolkata have more deep, dark and bold shades, reflecting the state of mind of the actors.
Watch on Netflix
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Photo Courtesy: IMDb
A Wes Anderson film had to make it to the list of films that are high on aesthetic value. The Grand Budapest Hotel, released by the filmmaker in 2014 is a treat with its pink-hued hotel exterior, bright red interiors, and hotel staff dressed in purple. The cast is led by Ralph Fiennes, playing Monsieur Gustave H., concierge at the mountainside resort, who has been framed for the murder of a wealthy patron, played by actress Tilda Swinton.
