Holi has been an integral part of Bollywood. While songs around the festival have often added colour and verve to films, lavish celebrations with a lot of star sparkle on the D-day used to be a constant fixture in the industry. The who’s who of the industry would come together like one big family, and provide the ground for many stars to forget their differences with their colleagues and drown themselves in the festival fervour.

Holi party hosted by Amitabh Bachchan
It is said that the legendary Raj Kapoor started the trend of throwing Holi parties in B’wood and other stars and filmmakers followed. However, most of the well known celebrations gradually faded into oblivion — only a few industry folk have been continuing the tradition.

Holi party hosted by the Kapoors have long been discontinued
hitlist gives you a lowdown on some of the best known Bollywood Holi bashes, some of which have faded into oblivion…

Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar have been hosting their industry friends and colleagues on the Holi festival almost every year
Time was when…
Holi celebrations in B-Town cannot be thought of without a mention of the original showman Raj Kapoor and his famous shindigs at RK Studios. The festivities used to resemble one of those evergreen Holi songs where everyone plays with colours and sways to music with gay abandon — or, perhaps, better. What’s more, dunking heroines in water tanks of colour was a must-do. Sounds fun, right? Why did it ever stop?
Fond memories
The Bachchans, who have always been known for their hospitality, used to throw elaborate parties to celebrate the festival with family friends and industry well-wishers. The highlight of Amitabh Bachchan’s 2004 bash was Shah Rukh Khan and politician Amar Singh patching up after their heated exchange during an awards ceremony. Reportedly, Big B discontinued Holi parties after his mother, Teji was taken ill and had to be hospitalised — she breathed her last in 2007.
Not anymore
Shah Rukh Khan and his wife Gauri used to play host to his industry friends and colleagues on Holi for several years at Mannat, but over time, decided to do away with the practice. In 2011, the couple banished the bhang and water from the revelry and welcomed the guests with mogra garlands.

Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan (below) at Subhash Ghai’s 1995 Holi party; SRK at his own bash in 2011

Fun and frolic
Filmmaker Subhash Ghai used to bring the entire industry together at his Madh Islands bungalow for the Holi revelry, but he too stopped the festivities about a decade-and-half ago. Last year, pictures of his 1995 bash that showed Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri immersed in the festivities went viral on social media — the much-in-love couple had then got jiggy, with SRK even dunking her into a pool of colours.
Legacy lives on
Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar celebrate the festival almost every year at her parents’ sprawling Juhu residence.

Aditi Rao Hydari and Dia Mirza
The event has been among the most talked about Holi parties in recent times and is a big hit among Bollywood celebs.

Richa Chadha at Shabana Azmi-Javed Akhtar’s party last year
Last year, their party had in attendance Dia Mirza, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha and Rahul Bose among others. Apparently, it is a 40-year-long tradition that was initiated by her late father and renowned poet-lyricist Kaifi Azmi.
Once more
Sanjay Gupta has been hosting the annual Holi get-together for his close friends from the industry. This year, the filmmaker plans to have a small gathering at his place.

Sanjay Gupta goes wild with a water spray at a 2007 bash
To have or not to have
Producer Ekta Kapoor’s lavish party at her Juhu bungalow on the festive occasion is a big draw among small screen stars. This year, however, it is not clear if she will have a Holi celebration at her pad.

Ekta Kapoor at a Holi party