Gargee RoyChowdhury goes Puja shopping

Roaming the streets Gariahat with Gargee Roychoudhury of was a different experience altogether — replete with lessons on methodical shopping. But despite her organized sheen, the actress is quite a child inside — she still walks around the house in her new shoes and sleeps with her Puja clothes! Sari and Gargee are almost synonymous. “Out of these two dupion silks (Rs 5,650 each) from Select Stores, one is mine. The other is for my sis-in-law. Also, no stick-on bindis for me this Puja. I am all for guro tip," she said (available at Andol Fancy Stores starting at Rs 25). “It’s my latest style statement,” added Gargee

To our surprise, the actress knew exactly what to buy and where. “Ma had fixed shops in Gariahat from where she would pick up stuff for Puja.And though ma is not with me anymore, I visit the same stores," she said. “Ma would buy gift saris from P Majumdar and I do the same. This year, I am sold on gicha tussar (starting at Rs 580) in bright colours,” said Gargee

Starting Mahalaya, Gargee wears only saris with matching jewellery .“Sari is the most sensuous attire in which one can look seductive without looking vulgar. I love it when people say, `sari manei Gargee'," she said, adding, “My hubby wants to see me in a lal par sada gorod on Asthami. I grabbed this sari (Rs 2,500) from Khadi Emporium and have decided on the look too — Sari, goyna, guro tip — that's Gargee's Puja style statement," winked the actress

The actress revealed that Puja also meant additional responsibilities for her. “My husband is busy the whole year. So, I have to shop for his staff and relatives. But the best part is that my hubby accepts whatever I buy for him with a broad smile," said the actress, who is known for a huge collection of saris. Not many know that she also has an enviable collection of branded watches. “I love watches and have one of almost all big brands," she added.“Blame it on laziness, my hubby hates to go shopping. So, I volunteer to buy gifts for his friends as well. I zeroed in on kalamkari shirts (Rs250 each) from New Khadi Niketan,” Gargee smiled

"Can't you smell the scent of Puja drifting through the air? The countdown to the festive madness has already begun for me.The smell of the new clothes says, `ma aschhe'! Many will not believe that I still walk around the house in new shoes, so that I don't get shoe bites during the festive days. And I still count how many new clothes I have in my kitty," laughed the actress.Coloured-strap Kolhapuri chappals from Marc One (Rs 480) are a favourite with Gargee. “I want to buy at least three,” she quipped

Pujo is as much about new clothes as nostalgia. Shopping with Ma-Baba used to be the best part about Pujo for her. Gargee’s father loved to gorge on papri chat and dahi phuchka (each plate Rs 55) at Junior Brothers and they are an after-shopping must-have for the actress too, till date.