Want to play Holi with a Chikni Chameli spray? How about The Dirty Picture gulaal? This year, Bollywood makes its debut on packets of Holi gulaal and pichkaris as city markets are flooded with filmy products titled, Chikni Chameli spray colours, Dabanng pichkaaris and The Dirty Picture gulaal.
Shopkeepers say these Bollywood-inspired products are a hit with city youngsters and are going off shelves like hot cakes. “Cracker packets during Diwali used to have pictures of film stars, but this year Bollywood has made an appearance on Holi gulaal too,” says Raja, owner of a SZ Alafarzands, a shop selling Holi products in Sadar Bazaar.
While the Chikni Chameli spray colour, priced at Rs 20 per bottle, has actor Katrina Kaif’s picture on it, The Dirty Picture colour pack, priced at Rs 18, has a picture of actors Vidya Balan, Tusshar Kapoor and Naseeruddin Shah on it.
“The Vidya Balan colour is a hit with customers. Mostly, young boys are coming to buy it,” says Satyender, a roadside shopkeeper. When asked why film stars were put on the packets of Holi products, Babu Rama, a shopkeeper replies, “Entertainment biktaa hai madam (Entertainment sells madam).”
These products have become bestsellers ever since the markets stocked them up. “We have run out of stock of the Dabanng pichkaari. We have sold about 300 pieces of it and have ordered for 500 more,” says Raja.
The pichkari priced at Rs150 is available in the Agneepath version too. “I am a Katrina Kaif fan. What better way to celebrate Holi than playing with Chikni Chameli colour spray?” asks Nishant Arora. “I have bought the Dabanng colours,” says Arushi Paul, 22.
Play it like Desi Boyz
The water gun flaunted by actors Akshay Kumar and John Abraham in the title track of the 2011 film, Desi Boyz, is one of the hottest Holi items this year. Available online and in select markets of the city, these pichkaaris are called Desi Boyz pichkaris and come with two packs of organic colours, priced at Rs 500 onwards. The pichkari can be ordered online at dealsofindiaonline.com, desidime.com and pepperfry.com, among others.
