More than three decades after captivating audiences with her charm in The Gentleman, Juhi Chawla has returned to the spotlight through a nostalgic musical surprise. The actress features in Apple's latest Diwali campaign, Step Into the Light, which gives a fresh, folk-inspired interpretation to her popular 1994 song ‘Roop Suhana Lagta Hai’.
The festive film brings together traditional Indian music, colourful costumes and elaborate dance performances against the beautiful backdrop of Rajasthan's Tijara Fort. Juhi makes a special appearance towards the end, wearing different traditional outfits, including a striking purple ensemble.
The campaign has caught the attention of Bollywood fans because it brings back a familiar melody from the 1990s in a completely different visual setting.
Juhi Chawla Makes a Special Appearance in Apple's Diwali Film
Apple's Step Into the Light celebrates the spirit of Diwali through music, dance and Indian cultural traditions. The film features a group of dancers performing carefully choreographed sequences in vibrant traditional outfits.
Juhi Chawla appears towards the end of the campaign, adding a nostalgic Bollywood connection to the festive presentation. Her appearance also takes viewers back to The Gentleman, the 1994 film in which she starred alongside Chiranjeevi.
Rather than simply recreating the original song, the campaign gives it a new musical and visual identity. The familiar melody has been transformed into a folk-inspired arrangement, accompanied by dance movements that combine traditional and contemporary styles.
Roop Suhana Lagta Hai Gets a Folk Makeover
The original song ‘Roop Suhana Lagta Hai’ was composed by Anu Malik for The Gentleman. It was sung by the legendary SP Balasubrahmanyam and KS Chithra, with lyrics written by Indeevar.
Interestingly, the 1994 Hindi film was a remake of Shankar's 1993 Tamil film Gentleman. The original Tamil song ‘Ottagathai Kattiko’, composed by AR Rahman, was adapted into the Hindi version.
For Apple's Diwali campaign, the familiar tune has been reimagined with a folk-inspired treatment. The new arrangement retains the nostalgic appeal of the original while presenting it through a fresh musical style.
The choreography has been performed by dancers from Big Dance Centre. Their movements blend traditional Indian dance influences with contemporary elements, creating a festive visual experience.
Tijara Fort and Indian Textiles Add to the Visual Appeal
One of the most striking aspects of the campaign is its location. The film was shot at Tijara Fort, a restored 19th-century royal palace in Rajasthan.
The historic architecture provides a grand backdrop for the elaborate dance sequences. The costumes are equally important to the campaign's visual storytelling, drawing inspiration from India's diverse textile traditions.
The outfits feature traditional fabrics and weaving styles, including Mashru, Varanasi brocades and Chanderi. These textiles bring together different regional influences while complementing the colourful atmosphere of the film.
The campaign was directed by Sanjay Garg, founder of Indian fashion and textile label Raw Mango. His creative approach brings together heritage, fashion, architecture and contemporary visual storytelling.
The film was also shot entirely on Apple's iPhone 18 Pro, highlighting the device's camera capabilities in different lighting conditions and elaborate dance sequences.
Sanjay Garg Explains the Idea Behind Step Into the Light
Speaking about the campaign, Sanjay Garg described Diwali as one of the most important festivals of the year. He explained that the festival represents a change in weather and an opportunity to welcome winter while spending time with loved ones.
He also shared how the original idea developed. Instead of focusing only on physical sources of light, such as diyas, the campaign aimed to capture the optimistic feeling associated with being surrounded by light.
The concept reflects the larger message of the film: celebrating the festive season by embracing colour, culture, creativity and togetherness.
Garg's interest in combining historical and contemporary elements is also visible throughout the campaign. From the traditional textiles to the modern choreography and iPhone cinematography, every element contributes to the film's visual identity.
A Nostalgic Diwali Surprise for Bollywood Fans
For viewers familiar with 1990s Hindi cinema, the return of ‘Roop Suhana Lagta Hai’ is a major nostalgic highlight. The song remains associated with Juhi Chawla's screen presence in The Gentleman, and its new interpretation introduces the melody to a fresh audience.
Juhi's appearance towards the end adds another special touch, connecting the campaign with the original film without turning it into a conventional remake.
With its folk-inspired music, traditional costumes, historic location and Bollywood nostalgia, Apple's Step Into the Light offers a distinctive way to celebrate Diwali 2026.
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