Dussehra 2025 Exclusive: Bobby Deol To Perform Ravana Dahan At Delhi’s Red Fort

Each year, when the effigies of Ravana, Meghnad, and Kumbhkaran burn away, India celebrates the triumph of good over evil. But this year, there is more than tradition to celebrate; it features a Bollywood twist! Dussehra 2025 (Vijayadashami) will go down in history this year, as Bobby Deol takes on the honour of carrying out the Ravana Dahan at Delhi's Red Fort.

In India, festivals are not another ritual; they are an emotional nexus to people's roots. Dussehra, or Vijayadashami, is one such festival that fosters togetherness in communities through festive spirit. But when a film star is a part of this tradition, there is a distinctly dewy angle. This year, fans cannot wait for the refreshing twist, Bobby Deol's Ravana Dahan.

For the people of Delhi, this is the most prestigious stage of all, the Red Fort Ramlila. Year after year, lakhs of people gather here to witness the spectacle. Political leaders, cultural icons, and celebrities have performed on this exact stage. Still, Bobby Deol has a special presence here. His robust screen persona, long lineage in the film industry and larger-than-life presence has made him the perfect ambassador of this grand moment.

The Spirit Of Dussehra In India

To fully grasp the significance of this occasion, we need to understand what Dussehra means to Indians.

Dussehra is not just a festival; it embodies Indian cultural and social identity. Every single state in India has multiple ways of rehashing the story of Lord Rama and his defeat and murder of Ravana by various means; there are theatrical performances through Ramlila, there are massive processions, and there are simply parts of the country which burn massive effigies.

All these representations are all going to point to the same meaning: Evil may seem powerful, but ultimately good will conquer. For generations, Indian parents have taken their children to witness Ravana Dahan, not only for leisure activities but for an important moral lesson. The icon of Ravana, which usually stands on crackers, epitomizes arrogance, greed and injustice; the burning of it, signifies that it does not matter how powerful those attributes are; they will be extinguished in the end by truth and justice.

This year, when the last arrow flies from Delhi’s Red Fort, the moment will resonate just a little bit more. Why? Because it will be Bobby Deol’s Ravana Dahan--a cultural moment when a film actor takes on the role of inheritor of traditions.

Delhi’s Red Fort – Where History Meets Festivity

Delhi is more than a city. It is the capital of India, a place where history, politics, and culture meet on every corner. Among its many properties, nothing can match the international status of the Red Fort (Lal Qila). Constructed in the 17th century during Mughal emperor Shah Jahan's reign, the fort is more than a monument, it stands aside as pride and resilience for India.

The Red Fort has been the site of the yearly Independence Day speech, military parades, and public mass. But during Dussehra, the ground springs to life in brilliant displays of cultural reverence. The Red Fort Ramlila is not only among the oldest Ramlilas, it is among the most lavish Ramlilas in India. Countless numbers of people gather to observe the dramatic performance of scenes from the Ramayana, culminating with Ravana's burning effigy.

It is a unique honour to carry out Ravana Dahan at Red Fort. It is a commitment and honour bestowed on those with significant cultural weight. There have been all kinds of political leaders, saints, and other cultural figures in the past who have performed Ravana Dahan over the years. This year, the honour belongs to Bollywood. Bobby Deol is in the spotlight for the performance of Ravana Dahan.

Bobby Deol – From Bollywood Hero To Cultural Icon

Bobby Deol became an instant heartthrob when he made his entry into the film industry with the 1995 movie Barsaat. With his good looks, charming persona and youthful exuberance, he left fans of an entire generation mesmerized. After that, he had established himself as one of the favorite stars of Hindi cinema with films like Soldier, Gupt, and Badal over the next few years.

Bobby's career has not been all smooth sailing, with ups and downs, lower periods in the film industry and then a grand return with web-series like Aashram, as well as, blockbuster movies like Animal. Bobby Deol is now a well known name and credited for strength, resilience and reinvention, not just as an actor.

It is this journey that gives a poetic quality to his involvement with Dussehra. Just as Lord Rama's battle and victory over Ravana is a tale of perseverance and righteousness, Bobby's career has been one in which he has faced odds against him and come out the victor when others did not. For us as fans, it is likely that (Bobby Deol's) Ravana Dahan is going to feel like a reel-to-real crossover moment. The same actor who has been associated with serious roles will shine a light on the arrow of truth in real life.

The Event Night – What To Expect

The buzz around the Red Fort is already building, but what exactly will happen on the night of Dussehra 2025?

The Procession

As darkness approaches, the Red Fort precincts will look like a sparkling display for Diwali. There will be stacks of children's toys, sweets, and ethnic desserts on colorful stalls. Families will arrive wearing traditional clothing, with the children carrying toy bows and arrows and their eyes filled with wonder.

The Ramlila performance will take place in the late afternoon, at which point the actors will perform the episodic last chapters in the Ramayana - the battle of Lord Rama and Ravana. The storytelling will be glitzy, with loud voices, traditional music, and brilliant clothing.

The Arrival Of Bobby Deol

As the climax nears, the attention will center. A stillness will overcome the spectator when the announcer calls out to the audience to welcome the guest of honour. Bobby Deol, in a kurtah, adorned with a saffron stole, will enter the stage. Cameras will flash, the chant of Jai Shri Ram will begin, and the audience will explode in earnest applause

The local arrangers are going to plan a welcome ceremony, which includes a shower of flower petals, aarti, and the transfer of a ceremonial bow and arrow. This will not be just about the glamour of celebrity, there will be a spiritual degree of passing the responsibility. At that moment the actor will no longer be Bobby Deol, he will embody the spirit of Lord Rama, ready to wipe out arrogance and evil.

The Moment Of Truth – Ravana Dahan

The tall, over-70-foot effigy of Ravana will stand against the backdrop of night, with Meghnad and Kumbhkaran next to him. There will be a sense of anticipation in the air.

Bobby will take his place on the elaborate platform, bow in hand. The arrow will be handed to him, fully aflame and surrounded by Vedic chants. Thousands will pop from their seats and raise mobile cameras and the hearts of onlookers will beat faster.

And then, with precision and focus, he will shoot the arrow. After a quick flight in silence, it will engulf the effigy in flames, then snap, crackle and pop will reverberate through the air followed by cheers from the crowd.

It will be the moment everyone has been waiting for – Ravana Dahan featuring Bobby Deol.

Bobby Deol set to perform at Delhi’s iconic Ramlila#BobbyDeol #Ramlila https://t.co/YWMQ2fs7RU

— indulgexpress (@indulgexpress) September 29, 2025

Audience Reactions

The news regarding Bobby Deol’s Ravana Dahan at the famous Red Fort has gotten the capital buzzing! From youngsters scrolling their feeds to families formulating their festive evening, reactions are coming in from all over.