Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff recently attended the historic Marbat Festival in Nagpur and praised the unique cultural celebration. The actor joined thousands of people who gathered for the annual festival, which has been part of Nagpur’s cultural identity for around 145 years.
The Marbat Festival was organised on a grand scale this year, with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, filmmaker Subhash Ghai and several other prominent personalities also attending the celebrations. The event was presented as an effort to bring Nagpur’s traditional culture to a wider national and international audience.
Jackie Shroff Wants the World to Know About Marbat
While attending the Marbat Festival, Jackie Shroff expressed his excitement about the event and said that such a unique programme deserves to be seen beyond Nagpur.
According to ANI, Jackie described the celebration as a very good programme and said that the entire world should know about it. He also expressed the view that people everywhere should get an opportunity to experience such a traditional celebration.
Jackie’s presence added a Bollywood touch to an event that is primarily rooted in the local culture and traditions of Nagpur. Known for his distinctive style and connection with people, the actor also interacted with the crowd during the celebrations.
Recent coverage reported that Jackie greeted the gathering with his trademark “Bhidu” style, joined the traditional Marbat chant and even danced during the festivities.
What Is the Marbat Festival?
The Marbat Festival is one of Nagpur’s oldest folk traditions. The celebration is associated with the Tanha Pola festival and features large effigies known as Marbat and Badgya.
The effigies are traditionally made using materials such as bamboo, cloth and paper. They are taken through the streets of Nagpur as part of a large procession that attracts huge crowds.
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According to the Ministry of Tourism’s official festival description, black and yellow Marbat effigies are taken through several parts of the city and eventually burnt. The tradition symbolically represents the removal of negativity and evil.
The festival has therefore developed into more than just a religious or traditional event. Over the years, it has also become a form of public expression, with Badgya effigies often being used to comment on social and political issues.
A 145-Year-Old Nagpur Tradition
The history of the Marbat Festival goes back more than a century. Local accounts trace the introduction of Kali Marbat to 1881, followed by Pili Marbat in 1885. Over generations, additional Marbats became part of the procession, helping the festival evolve while retaining its traditional character.
The festival has remained closely connected with the old parts of Nagpur, where residents continue to participate in the procession. This year, however, the scale and visibility of the event were significantly expanded.
The Nagpur Municipal Corporation formally joined the celebrations and promoted the festival as a cultural and tourism attraction with national and international appeal. Foreign diplomats and representatives from countries including France, Norway and Finland also witnessed the celebrations.
Bollywood Stars Join the Celebrations
Jackie Shroff was not the only film personality associated with the event. Filmmaker Subhash Ghai also attended the Marbat Festival. Ghai reportedly spoke about his connection with Nagpur, while cricketer Umesh Yadav also participated in the celebrations.
The presence of well-known personalities helped bring additional attention to a tradition that has traditionally been celebrated primarily by the people of Nagpur.
For Jackie Shroff, the event appeared to be an opportunity to celebrate a lesser-known cultural tradition and encourage more people to discover it. His comments about taking the festival to a global audience also matched the broader effort by the civic administration to promote Nagpur’s cultural heritage.
Marbat Festival Brings Tradition and Social Commentary Together
One of the distinctive features of the Marbat Festival is the combination of tradition, community participation and satire. Along with the main Marbat effigies, Badgya figures can reflect contemporary issues and public concerns.
This year’s procession again featured colourful effigies and performances as thousands of people gathered despite heavy rain. The traditional chants, dhol-tasha performances and large-scale procession turned the old city streets into a major cultural spectacle.
The celebration shows how an old tradition can continue to remain relevant by adapting to changing times while preserving its basic identity.
Jackie Shroff’s Message Highlights Nagpur’s Cultural Heritage
Jackie Shroff’s remarks have put fresh attention on the Marbat Festival and its history. His call for the celebration to be known around the world reflects the growing effort to introduce regional Indian traditions to wider audiences.
With its 145-year history, colourful processions, traditional effigies and strong community participation, the Marbat Festival represents an important part of Nagpur’s cultural heritage. The 2026 celebration may therefore prove significant in giving the festival greater recognition outside Maharashtra.
For Nagpur, the event was not simply another annual procession. It was also a showcase of how a centuries-old Indian tradition can find a place on a larger cultural stage. Jackie Shroff’s participation and his message for the world to discover the festival added another memorable chapter to its long history.
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