Maharashtra Launches Reel-Making Contest for Ganeshotsav, Top Prize Rs 1 Lakh
Pune, 27th August 2025: Ganeshotsav celebrations in Maharashtra are set to go digital this year with the state government announcing a special reel-making competition. The initiative, spearheaded by Cultural Affairs Minister Adv. Ashish Shelar, will reward the most creative short videos with cash prizes of up to ₹1 lakh.
The competition is being organised by the Department of Cultural Affairs in association with the Maharashtra Film, Theatre, and Cultural Development Corporation. Officials said the aim is to give the traditional festival a modern touch by encouraging citizens to showcase culture, heritage, and social themes through 30–60 second reels.
“This festival is not only about devotion but also about creativity and community spirit. Through this contest, we want to see how people across the world can capture the essence of Ganeshotsav in unique ways,” Minister Shelar said while announcing the initiative.
Who Can Participate
The contest is open to residents of Maharashtra as well as participants from other states and even outside India. To make the competition fair, entries have been divided into three categories — revenue division level within Maharashtra, state level, and an open category for national and international participants.
The reels can be made on themes such as environmental awareness, swadeshi and local pride, forts and historical sites, cultural heritage, or the Operation Sindoor campaign.
Prize Structure
At the division level, winners stand to earn ₹25,000 for the first prize, while the second and third prizes are ₹15,000 and ₹10,000 respectively. Consolation prizes of ₹5,000 will also be awarded.
At the state level, the first prize carries ₹1 lakh, followed by ₹75,000 for the second and ₹50,000 for the third. A consolation prize of ₹25,000 is also on offer.
The same prize structure applies to the open category for participants outside Maharashtra and overseas.
“This is a golden opportunity for youngsters and creators to showcase their talent on a global platform. With just a mobile phone and some imagination, they can make an impact and even win substantial rewards,” an official from the Cultural Affairs Department said.
सांस्कृतिक कार्य मंत्री आशिष शेलार यांच्या संकल्पनेतून यंदा गणेशोत्सवाला रील स्पर्धेच्या माध्यमातून देश-विदेशात नवे आयाम मिळणार आहेत. यंदा प्रथमच महाराष्ट्र शासनाचा सांस्कृतिक कार्य विभाग, महाराष्ट्र चित्रपट रंगभूमी आणि सांस्कृतिक विकास महामंडळ यांच्या वतीने रील स्पर्धेचे आयोजन… pic.twitter.com/oYqUcD6tJa
— MAHARASHTRA DGIPR (@MahaDGIPR) August 27, 2025
How to Register
Interested participants can register online through the Google Form available on the official website — filmcitymumbai.org — and the social media pages of Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari. Entries will be accepted from August 27 to September 7.
