Happy Christmas: Bollywood Stars Turn Santa Claus to Spread Peace and Love Across the World

By Shrad Rai

Every year on December 25 (Christmas Day), we read news about some film star being spotted at a particular place dressed up as Santa Claus. For Bollywood celebrities, Santa Baba has always been a subject of fascination. At a time when the world is living under the shadow of war, humanity needs messengers of Santa Claus more than ever to spread the message of peace.

Santa Claus, Bollywood stars moments melt hearts

Amitabh Bachchan, Boman Irani, Aamir Khan, Preity Zinta, Shah Rukh Khan, Sunny Leone, Anupam Kher and many other Bollywood stars have donned the Santa Claus avatar. In earlier times, stars like Shammi Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, and Prem Nath used to go among people dressed as Santa. Last year, Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt became Santa Claus to make their daughter Raha happy.

Santa Claus Bollywood stars seen on Christmas

On December 25, many celebrities are seen among people dressed as Santa Claus, appearing as messengers of peace. Christmas trees, Christmas cards, decorative lights, pastries, cakes, and gifts for children make the festive atmosphere even more enchanting—and the arrival of Santa Claus adds to the charm. At night, a bearded man in a red outfit arrives, pulling gifts out of his stockings and distributing them among children. With changing times, Santa Babas are now seen in malls, multiplex theatres, and city picnic spots. The charm of becoming Santa has also attracted film stars, which is why every year one or another celebrity is seen in a Santa get-up.

The joyful atmosphere of Christmas begins several days before Christmas Day and is enjoyed not only by Christians but also by people from Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh communities alike. Once, Amitabh Bachchan said, “The joy of going among little children dressed as Santa, or playing Santa on screen, is beyond words. It is a way to spread a message of peace and love in the world by going among people in a Santa get-up.”

Santa Claus Bollywood stars inspired by Hollywood

The fondness for portraying Santa Claus among Bollywood stars stems from imitating Hollywood celebrities. Hollywood stars like Richard Attenborough, Tim Allen, Kurt Russell, Billy Bob Thornton, John Goodman, and Leslie Nielsen have dressed up as Santa Claus and gone to distribute gifts among children. Bollywood followed the same trend. Even the song “Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell…” has been copied and adapted countless times in films.

Anupam Kher has dressed up as Santa Claus and visited public places many times. He says, “There is a special sense of blessing in going among children and giving them chocolates or small gifts. But there is also a fear of being recognized. Santa is the face of peace, which the world needs today.”

At present, half the world is living under the shadow of war. News of war preparations from Israel, the Philippines, Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and Britain has frightened the world. In such circumstances, many Christian-majority countries are talking about celebrating Christmas in a subdued manner. In such times, all we can do is pray—if only a Santa would come, taking messages of peace out of his stockings and spreading an atmosphere of harmony across the world.

FAQs

Q1. Why do Bollywood stars dress up as Santa Claus?

Bollywood stars dress up as Santa Claus on Christmas to spread happiness and give the message of love, hope and humanity.

Q2. Which big stars have dressed up as Santa Claus?

Many stars including Amitabh Bachchan, Boman Irani, Aamir Khan, Preity Zinta, Shahrukh Khan, Sunny Leone, Anupam Kher have become Santa.

Q3. Did artists of the past also play Santa?

Yes, legendary actors like Shammi Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor and Premnath also used to go among the people dressed as Santa.

Q4. Which stars have become Santas in recent years?

Last year, Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt turned Santa to please their daughter Rhea.

Q5. Why is the message of Santa Claus important today?

At a time when the world is going through a period of war and tension, the message of Santa Claus reminds us of peace, compassion and human values.