Be it fasting, playing garba, dandiya or eating scrumptious food, our TV actors, Arjun Bijlani, Rashami Desai, Jasmin Bhasin and Ssharad Malhotra among others tell us their plan for the next nine days. The festival of Navratri which commemorates the triumph of good over evil is here. And just like every festival, television actors are all geared up to pull out their best attires and put on their dancing shoes to groove on the quintessential dandiya tracks. Be it fasting, playing garba, dandiya or eating scrumptious food, our TV actors tell us their plan for the next nine days.
* Rashami DesaiThe Dil Se Dil Tak actor, who is a Gujarati, says, “I am a Gujarati. So for me, Navratri is about dressing up, meeting friends and watching everyone play dandiya besides doing regular pooja. It’s one of the most colourful, rich festivals for us Gujratis. I usually don’t go to do garba all the nine days, but I try my best to go at least three days every year, without fail.”
* Arjun BijlaniArjun who is currently seen in the show Ishq Mein Marjawan will not be playing Garba this year but will not eat non-veg for the next nine days. He says, “Navratri festival is an important festival for me. My wife and I make it a point to go to the temple at least once in these nine days. Like every year, I will follow rules of not having non-veg food and visit the temple with my family. Before Navratri, we clean our house and change everything from bed sheets to the curtain and also do pooja for nine days. I won’t be performing Garba this year.”
* Shashank VyasJagya of Balika Vadhu says, “Navratri festival is a very special festival for me. I clean my house and do pooja. I will not be performing garba. My best memory of the festival is when I was in Ujjain. The best memory is when I had danced till 4 am with friends at a dandiya party.”
* Jasmin Bhasin“I have some amazing memories of Navratri. I remember we used to organise Dandia in school. I would literally wait for the festival! This time, I am going to be in Mumbai as I am busy with work. But I’ll try to go out if work permits,” says Teni of Dil Se Dil Tak.
* Himmanshoo Malhotra“Navratri as a festival brings a great amount of joy and is full of celebration. It’s an amazing festive season of yummy food and dance, especially in Mumbai and Gujarat. Everyone gathers for Dandiya and Garba. I totally enjoy the festival. As far as fasting is concerned, I don’t fast but my mom does on all nine days. The only restriction is not to eat any non-veg items during Navratri and we abide by what mom says.”