Ganeshotsav celebrations will be bigger this year: B-Town celebs

It’s that time of the year when the city comes together to welcome Ganpati Bappa. As things swing back into action this year, grand celebrations are on the cards. On the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, we speak with some Bollywood celebrities who have been bringing Lord Ganesha home for many years now. Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Sonu Sood, Neil Nitin Mukesh and Tusshar Kapoor share their plans for this Ganeshotsav:

There’s a special connect with Ganeshotsav: Neil Nitin Mukesh
It’s been 29 years since Neil’s family has been hosting Ganpati Bappa home. The family shares a special connection with this festival. Neil says, “My wife Rukmini and I feel blessed that our daughter Nurvi was born during Ganeshotsav (in 2018). My father came up with her beautiful name, Nurvi, from the (Ganpati) aarti — Sukh Karta Dukh Harta Varta Vighnachi Nurvi Purvi Prem Krupa Jayachi. Nurvi has learnt how to sing the aarti, too. I love the festive spirit at home during this time. Over the years, my duties have changed, from being the in-house sweet taster to decorator and now, the creative head limited only to the invitation, videography and photography. At home delicious Indian dishes are prepared throughout the festival. My favourite has to be the daal ki puri, a thin roti made with mixed daals. I generally follow a diet to lose weight before the festival starts, so that I can relish these treats (laughs!).”

This year the celebration will be bigger as we will have Bappa home for two-and-a-half days: Shilpa Shetty Kundra
Shilpa is excited about the festival this year as the festivities at their home will last longer. She says, “We welcome our beloved Ganpati Bappa with love, faith and devotion every year. For the last two years, the celebrations were quieter because of COVID protocols, but this year it will be a bigger celebration as we will have Bappa at home for two-and-a-half days, as compared to the usual one-and-a-half-day festivities. Though I am recovering from my leg injury, the entire family is looking forward to celebrating the festival in full gusto.”

I am feeling sad as I will have to leave the celebrations midway this year: Sonu Sood
Ganpati celebrations last for five days at Sonu’s house. This time around, as work keeps him busy, Sonu, who’s going all out to welcome the almighty home, will have to leave the festivities midway. He says, “I feel sad that I will have to leave the celebrations midway this year. When I’ll be away, my family will take care of everything. My sons love this festival, and they take part in the festivities. I love to see their involvement in the preparation and the festivities. The most exciting bit about the prep is to cook ukdiche modak, which I crave for the most.”

Love to celebrate in an eco-friendly way: Tusshar Kapoor
While Tusshar loves celebrating the festival, he believes in keeping things simple. He says, “We believe in celebrating this festival in an eco-friendly and minimalist manner. Though we all are very excited, the celebrations have always been low-key. One must take care of the city and its cleanliness too. At home, my son Laksshya looks forward to Bappa’s arrival. He feels like a guest is coming to stay with us for a few days. He excitedly sits through the puja and also follows all the instructions related to the puja. He also makes modaks out of clay, which he learnt to do in school.”