In a heartfelt Instagram post, celebrity chef Vikas Khanna transported followers back to Holi 2011 in Vrindavan, the birthplace of his directorial debut ‘The Last Color’. While revelers splashed colors everywhere, Khanna’s eyes fell on widows isolated in their white attire, excluded from the festivities.
‘The surrounding chaos of colors made their exclusion even more heartbreaking,’ Khanna wrote. Inspired, he crafted a tale on the spot that blossomed into a bestselling novel and a globally celebrated film tackling widowhood in India.
From Cannes premiere to over 100 festival screenings worldwide, the film garnered massive acclaim. A special UN screening brought tears and applause, propelling Khanna to speak at the US Capitol on widows’ rights. He joined Global Widows as an ambassador and saw his work qualify for the Oscars, later hitting Amazon Prime.
Beyond accolades, Khanna cherishes the film’s message of unity. Festivals should embrace all, he believes, a conviction that fueled his ‘Bungalow’ project ensuring inclusive celebrations. Today, from Dubai, he sends Holi wishes to Vrindavan’s widows, now painted in joy.