Exclusive: Bhagyashree on her Diwali plans; says her actor son Abhimanyu is a stickler for Indian traditions

It’s been three decades that Bhagyashree, married to Himalaya Dasani, has been living in a Marwadi Jain household. Yet, the actress remains closely attached to her Maharashtrian traditions. The

Maine Pyar Kiya

actress hails from the royal family of Sangli in Maharashtra, and she has ensured that her children — Abhimanyu, who made his
debut with

Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota

and daughter Avantika — are aware of and value the traditions that she was introduced to early on in her life.

The actress, who has an interesting line-up of movies, says that she’s busy prepping up for “Pahili Anghol” (first bath). “It’s a small tradition that we Maharashtrians follow, which is called ‘Diwali chi pahili anghol’. It’s something that my parents followed, too. So, I make ubtan at home and apply it to both my kids. I do it in the traditional style where my children sit on a paat (a low-seating wooden stool), I draw the rangoli, unki aarti karti hoon and that’s how the day begins. Seeing this, my husband also jumps in and asks me to apply the ubtan to him, too (laughs!).”

Bhagyashree stresses on the importance of the younger generation being aware of their roots. “Abhimanyu likes all the traditions, in fact, agar kuch unnis-bees hua toh he points it out. Avantika helps me with food and decorations, while my son keeps a watch ki sab kuch traditions se ho raha hai ya nahi. Even if I tell my kids ki Diwali iss baar kahi bahar manate hai, they tell me ‘Wherever we go, on the day of the festival, we should be spending time at home with the entire family’.”

Elaborating on the family’s plans this Diwali, Bhagyashree adds, “Like every year, we are hosting Diwali lunch at home where the entire family (from both sides) comes together.” While she is home for the festivities, in December, the actress will get busy with the shooting of two films, the Prabhas-starrer Radhe Shyam and Thalaivi headlined by Kangana Ranaut.