Mahashivratri, one of the most revered Hindu festivals, is celebrated today, February 26, 2025. It is a day of deep spiritual significance, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The festival sees millions of devotees across India and beyond observing fasts, offering prayers, and participating in rituals to seek blessings from Mahadev. The grandeur of this occasion is further amplified by its coinciding with the final ‘snan’ (holy dip) of the Mahakumbh Mela, making it a once-in-a-lifetime spiritual confluence for many pilgrims.
The Significance of Mahashivratri
Mahashivratri holds a special place in the hearts of devotees as it is believed to be the night when Lord Shiva performed the divine Tandava, the cosmic dance of creation and destruction. Many observe a night-long vigil, chanting ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ and engaging in rituals that symbolize the triumph of light over darkness and ignorance. The festival is also a time for self-reflection and devotion, where fasting and meditation are practised to attain spiritual awakening.
This year, Mahashivratri aligns with the grand culmination of the Mahakumbh Mela in Prayagraj, where crores of devotees have already taken a holy dip in the sacred Triveni Sangam. The sight of millions converging to offer prayers and seek blessings has created a divine spectacle, with vendors selling puja materials such as rudraksha garlands, shivlings, and ceremonial threads throughout the night.
Filmmaker Robin Bhatt, who is currently attending the Kumbh, expressed his awe, saying, “I am in Kumbh Mela right now, witnessing the glory of Lord Shiva with my own eyes. The devotion here is beyond words.”
Celebs’ Devotion to Lord Shiva
Indian film stars have often expressed their deep reverence for Lord Shiva, whether through their personal beliefs, tattoos, or on-screen portrayals. Several celebrities, including Ajay Devgn, Sanjay Dutt, Kunal Khemmu, Ronit Roy, and others have inked their devotion permanently with tattoos of Lord Shiva. Others, like Ravi Kishan, Tarun Khanna, Amit Rai, Sara Ali Khan and Kangana Ranaut, frequently visit Shiva temples to seek blessings.
Actor Ravi Kishan, who has played Lord Shiva in Ramlilas and Bhojpuri films, regards Mahadev as his guiding force. “Shiva means life to me, Whatever I am today, I have full faith and believe that it’s because of Shiva’s blessing,” he shared passionately. Known to immerse himself completely in Shiva’s devotion during Mahashivratri, he says “This Mahashivratri is going to be very special for all Shiva devotees and it’s going to be massive and very big.”
Bollywood actor Tarun Khanna shared his deep reverence for the festival, describing it as a significant occasion in his spiritual calendar. Known for his portrayal of Lord Shiva in multiple television series, Khanna spoke about the traditions he and his family have been following for over a decade and his deep connection with the deity. “Mahashivratri is a very special day for me and my family,” Khanna said. “My wife and I visit the Shiv temple near our home, where we offer milk, Belpatra, and other sacred items to the Shivling. It’s a ritual we have been following for the last 12 years, and this year will be no different.”
Beyond personal devotion, the actor also emphasized the importance of giving back to the community. “We have a tradition of donating food and essential items to the underprivileged people near the temple. It’s a fulfilling experience to help those in need while seeking Mahadev’s blessings,” he added
Filmmaker Amit Rai, who worked with Akshay Kumar on ‘OMG 2,’ shared, “All the filmmakers are because of Shiva. He is the creator of all the arts – dance, music, etc. You can’t escape the filmmaker, you can’t escape Shivji.”
Lord Shiva on the Silver Screen
Bollywood has had a long-standing relationship with mythological and devotional films, but the industry’s take on such subjects has been met with both praise and criticism. Director Rai shared how deeply Akshay Kumar connected with Shiva. “When Akshay ji first heard the line ‘Rakh Vishwas, Tu Hai Shiv Ka Das,’ he was so moved that he called his mother. He truly internalized Shiva’s calm and powerful essence.”
Recalling his time working on the film OMG 2, he shared, “When I wrote Shiv, I didn’t try to make it very meaningful. For me, Shiva is a very adjustable god. He roams around without any ornaments, without any crown, without any palace. Like other gods, he doesn’t live with ornaments or ornaments. He lives in Kailash without a house. He sits in the snow, his clothes are not like his kings. So my Shiva was just like that. He was completely free. You can see his clothes. He is completely free. Everything is free. He is free of all things. So I made sure that he looks completely free.”
Khanna, who has portrayed the role of Lord Shiva multiple times on-screen, shared his thoughts on the experience. Reflecting on his journey, he said, “I have done the role of Mahadev; I think this is the 12th time I’m doing it, and it’s a huge honour. It’s a privilege to portray this character, as it is not something that comes to every actor. To play a God on-screen means people must see something divine in me, and I consider it a blessing from God and my parents watching over me.”
Filmmaker Robin Bhatt emphasized the significance of Lord Shiva in Indian mythology and cinema. “Lord Shiva, being the Adi Dev, is essential in our mythology. If interwoven into a storyline properly, his character resonates deeply with the audience. Shiva represents strength, innocence, protection, and mercy—virtues that make him an adored figure. Even if a hero embodies just one of these qualities, he becomes an admired character,” Bhatt stated.
Despite some successful portrayals over the years, the film industry has had its share of disappointment with mythological films. Khanna, expressed his disappointment in the film industry’s approach to religious and historical films. He shared, “I have been very disappointed with the way Bollywood handles historical and religious films. The actors often lack the required purity, the directors lack proper research, and the actresses do not fit the roles of goddesses. The industry should refrain from making these films unless done with sincerity and devotion.”
Khanna praised Swastik Productions for their work in religious television content. “The only show I watch is ‘Veer Hanuman’ because I know Swastik Production ensures purity and emotional depth in their work. The entire team, including directors like Loknath Pandey and Kamal Monga, is devoted to creating these shows. I am confident ‘Veer Hanuman’ will be another success,” he concluded.
Despite criticisms, Bollywood continues to explore mythological themes. Upcoming projects centred around Hindu mythology include director Nitesh Tiwari’s ‘Ramayana’, an adaptation of the ancient epic – Ramayana. The ensemble cast includes Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash, Amitabh Bachchan, and Sunny Deol. The film set to release in two parts, boasts a substantial budget, making it one of the most expensive Indian films to date. The soundtrack features compositions by A. R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer. The first part is scheduled for a Diwali 2026 release and the second part is planned for Diwali 2027.
Another highly anticipated film is ‘Mahavatar’ an upcoming mythological epic directed by Amar Kaushik, featuring Vicky Kaushal. The film is also slated for a 2026 release.
Bollywood’s Ultimate Maha Shivratri Playlist
No festival is complete without music, and Mahashivratri is no exception. Bollywood has gifted fans with powerful devotional tracks dedicated to Lord Shiva. Here are some must-listen songs for this year’s celebrations:
“Bolo Har Har Har” (Shivaay) – This high-energy track from Ajay Devgn’s ‘Shivaay’ is a powerful anthem featuring rapper Badshah.
“Namo Namo” (Kedarnath) – A soulful melody sung by Amit Trivedi, capturing the essence of devotion.
“Oonchi Oonchi Waadi” (OMG 2) – Featuring Pankaj Tripathi, this song beautifully showcases unwavering faith in Mahadev.
“Har Har Mahadev” (OMG 2) – An electrifying track from ‘OMG 2’ set against the backdrop of a grand Shivratri celebration.
“Shankara Re Shankara” (Tanhaji) – A victorious ode to Lord Shiva, celebrating his divine strength and guidance.
On this auspicious day, may the chants of ‘Har Har Mahadev’ echo far and wide, bringing peace and prosperity to all Shiva devotees.
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