Yami Gautam, Aanand L Rai add star power to Delhi's grand Dussehra celebrations

Actor Yami Gautam Dhar and director Aanand L Rai joined Vice President C P Radhakrishnan at the Red Fort Dussehra celebrations. This year's 'Respect for Women' theme saw Yami's participation underscore the message of women's empowerment.

In Short

• Vice President C P Radhakrishnan performed Ravan Dahan before thousands
• Ceremonial arrows were shot at effigies symbolising injustice and social evils
• Her Nayyi Navelli role recently featured a Ravan Vadh sequence

Actor Yami Gautam Dhar and filmmaker Aanand L Rai joined Vice President C P Radhakrishnan for the grand Dussehra celebrations at Delhi’s historic Red Fort grounds. Organised by the Luv Kush Ramleela Committee, the Vijayadashami event saw Yami and Aanand L Rai shoot ceremonial arrows at effigies symbolising evil, with this year’s theme, ‘Respect for Women’, placing the spotlight on women’s dignity and empowerment.

Yami was specially invited to represent the women of India at the event. Her participation was intended to reinforce the message that women embody courage and strength and have an important role to play in standing against injustice and social evils.

Interestingly, Yami was recently seen performing Ravan Vadh in a sequence from her film Nayyi Navelli. Her participation in the Dussehra celebrations brought the symbolic act into a real-life cultural setting before thousands of spectators at the iconic Delhi venue.

Speaking about the occasion, Arjun Kumar, president of the Luv Kush Ramleela Committee, said, “It is a matter of immense pride and honour for us that Hon'ble Vice President of India, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, graced our Dussehra celebrations and performed Ravan Dahan. His presence made this historic occasion even more memorable.”

Explaining this year’s theme, Kumar said, “Our theme this year is 'Respect for Women'. Through Yami Gautam's participation, we wanted to convey that women represent courage, dignity and strength. Ravana is not merely a mythological character but also symbolises arrogance, injustice and the evils prevailing in society. The participation of Yami Gautam sends a strong message of women's empowerment and their important role in defeating evil.”

Kumar also expressed gratitude to Aanand L Rai for attending the celebrations and being part of the cultural event.

Over the years, the Luv Kush Ramleela’s Ravan Dahan celebrations have seen several prominent film personalities participate, including Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, John Abraham, Prabhas and Kareena Kapoor, along with filmmaker Rohit Shetty.

Meanwhile, the National Award-winning actor was last seen in Nayyi Navelli. Directed by Balaji Mohan, the film also stars Adinath Kothare, Anurag Thakur, Sunita Rajwar, and Mita Vashisht in key roles.

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