From ‘Veer Zaara’ to ‘Raees’: 5 films that beautifully reflect the spirit of Makar Sankranti

Directed by the late Yash Chopra, ‘Veer Zaara’ stars Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta and Rani Mukerji. While the film primarily celebrates Punjabi traditions, the iconic song ‘Lo Aa Gayi Lohri Ve’ has become synonymous with harvest festivities, including Lohri and Makar Sankranti. The grand visuals, traditional attire and community celebrations beautifully showcase North Indian culture. The song’s continued relevance during January festivals has cemented the film’s place as a seasonal classic that highlights unity, love and shared traditions.

One of the most iconic modern portrayals of Makar Sankranti comes from ‘Raees’. The song ‘Udi Udi Jaye’, sung by Bhoomi Trivedi, features Shah Rukh Khan and Mahira Khan against a backdrop of colourful kites and festive energy. The infectious rhythm, lively visuals and playful chemistry between the leads turn the sequence into a joyful cinematic celebration of the festival. Shah Rukh Khan and Mahira Khan’s effortless chemistry, paired with the rhythmic folk beats, turns the song into a visual celebration of tradition, joy and cultural pride which makes the song a go-to festive anthem even today.

Makar Sankranti finds a playful and competitive expression in ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’. The energetic song ‘Dheel De’ captures the thrill of kite flying, featuring Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in a lively festive setting. The song ‘Dheel De’ perfectly captures the excitement of kite flying during Makar Sankranti, showcasing playful rivalry and community bonding. The sequence reflects how the festival brings people together while adding colour, emotion and rhythm to the narrative.

Helmed by Abhishek Kapoor, ‘Kai Po Che’ features Sushant Singh Rajput, Rajkummar Rao and Amit Sadh in lead roles. The kite-flying scenes add warmth and authenticity to the story, symbolising shared dreams and youthful spirit. Set in Gujarat, the film uses the festival not just as a visual spectacle but as an emotional connector for its characters. The song 'Manja' is composed and sung by Amit Trivedi with lyrics by Swanand Kirkire, deepening the emotional impact by reflecting resilience and hope.

Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, ‘Sultan’ stars Salman Khan and Anushka Sharma. While the film focuses on wrestling and personal redemption, kite flying is woven into the story in a light-hearted and culturally rich manner. The visuals of kites dotting the sky, lively village crowds and cheerful interactions add warmth to the narrative. These festive moments subtly highlight the joy and togetherness associated with Makar Sankranti, grounding the larger-than-life story in everyday cultural reality.