Devotion or promotion? When B-Town films cash in on religious fervour

While actors touring various cities and making appearances at shopping malls and colleges have become routine in the runup to their films release dropping by at puja pandals is an addition to their checklist this festive season that begins with Ganesh Chaturthi on September 17 hitlist takes a look at some upcoming films that are looking forward to the festive fervour for reasons than transcend faith and devotionStamp of faithAishwarya Rai Bachchan will be seen on the big screen after a hiatus of five years mdash her last release was Guzaarish 2010 While she must be aspiring for a successful comeback her films team is already planning promotional activities to create a buzz And we hear Ash along with her costar Irrfan is set to visit Ganpati pandals in MumbaiAishwarya Rai Bachchan is liekly to visit a few Ganpati pandals in town along with costar Irrfan as part of the promotional schedule of Jazbaa PicYogen ShahWe cannot share the exact details as to which pandals we will be visiting due to security issues but it is confirmed that the films team will be seeking lord Ganeshas blessings before the film releases informs a sourceAkshay Kumars next with director Prabhu Dheva releases in the first week of next month While they have already kicked off their promotional campaign pandal hopping during Ganesh Utsav is also a part of the plan The actordirector duo is expected to visit the major pandals including Lalbaugcha Raja and Andhericha Raja The team is still working out the day the cast will seek blessingsFrom left Prabhu Dheva Akshay Kumar and Amy Jackson are liekly to visit some Ganpati pandals across town to promote their film Singh Is Bliing PicTushar SatamThe worshipperStandup comic turned actor Kapil Sharma swears by Lord Ganesha say his close friends from the industry A source points out that when filmmakerchoreographer Farah Khan was the first guest on his comedy show after its set caught fire she had gifted him a Ganesha idol So it is not surprising that when Kapil is set to make his debut with Abbas Mastans upcoming release Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon he will be visiting Ganpati pandals to seek blessingsKapil has always been a bhakt of Lord Ganesha and he will be visiting several pandals in the city His debut film is set to release by the end of next month and these visits will be a part of the promotional activities says a source from his films publicity teamIn the calendarMadhur Bhandarkar who has been religiously visiting Lalbaugcha Raja every year will continue the pilgrimage this year too But given the fact that he also has film release lined up during the Ganesh Utsav he is unlikely to miss out on the promotions of his next Calendar GirlsMadhur Bhandarkar whose festive season is never complete without a visit to Lalbaughcha Raja will take the star cast of his Calendar Girls on a Ganpati idol worship tour to spread word about the film It is true that I worship Ganesha and like every year I will be visiting Lalbaugcha Raja apart from celebrating the festival with my family Also my Calendar Girls team will be visiting pandals in the city to seek the lords blessings We are working on the plan says BhandarkarFestival businessMaking an appearance at pandals comes with certain business interests Says trade expert Amod Mehra It is the easiest way to seek maximum reach for a film One does not have to spend much in organising such trips but makes news instantly Also as many people come to visit these pandals they attract a huge audience Therefore films releasing during the festival season never miss out on such opportunitiesVivek Oberoi at the Girgaum Ganpati pandal in 2009Looking backThis is not the first time that many film teams are planning to cash in on the festive season In the past Rani Mukerji was also spotted at a Ganpati pandal and Dahi Handi ceremonies for the postrelease promotion of her last release Mardaani 2014 Vivek Oberoi had promoted Kismet Love Paisa Dilli 2012 at Girgaum Ganpati Similarly Himesh Reshammiya had organised the music launch of his film Radio Love On Air 2009 at Lalbaugcha RajaRani Mukerji at a Dahi Handi ceremony for the postrelease promotion of her last release Mardaani 2014 PicPradeep DhivarHimesh however feels the celebrity visits to pandals go beyond film promotions He says Its about a personal belief and I strongly feel that its not just about the reach of films It is about faith in God which is most important If there is faith then God gives you the opportunity to come closer to him