This is, without a doubt, the most iconic Diwali celebration scene in modern cinema. The scene is a masterclass in Karan Johar’s signature melodrama and grandeur. Jaya Bachchan, as Nandini Raichand, senses her son Rahul’s (Shah Rukh Khan) return, holding the puja thali with unwavering faith. The grand helicopter entrance, the slow-motion reunion, and the soulful title track create a moment of pure, unadulterated cinematic joy. It perfectly encapsulates Diwali’s core theme of family and homecoming. It set the gold standard for on-screen festivals. The scene is so powerful that for many, the image of Jaya Bachchan with her aarti thali is the definitive cinematic representation of a mother’s love during Diwali.
Bollywood's most memorable on-screen Diwali moments