Navroz Mubarak! Tara Sutaria: On Navroz, we cook, chat & laugh together

For Tara Sutaria, the Persian New Year, Navroz, is all about celebrating her culture and the promise of a bright new year and the beginning of spring. “It is a time of new beginnings and is the most exciting time in our house. It’s special for our family because we get to be together and enjoy our Navroz meal, which is something that we are always been very excited about,” says the Heropanti 2 actress.
‘To share our culture and our food with friends and family is a part of our household’
Tara says. “We (Sutarias) don’t need an excuse to celebrate. On Navroz, we cook together, chat, laugh and spend time together. There are lots of traditional Parsi recipes. Now, I’ve begun cooking and I am fond of putting out a great spread, just like my mom and grandmom have always done. It’s something that I find very exciting when we celebrate any occasion at home. To share our culture and food with friends and family has always been a part of our household.”
As the Ek Villain Returns actress opens up about food, she admits that it means a “great deal” to her family. “It’s all we talk about at home – what will we have for our next meal,” she says and picks Sali Marghi as one of her favourite dishes.
‘Navroz celebrations over the last few years have been more special’
Tara ensures that every year on Navroz, she takes a break. “Navroz celebrations over the last few years have been more special than those in my childhood. That’s because when you spend a lot of time filming, getting a day off on Navroz is special. I always ask for the day off on Christmas and Navroz if I’m shooting. In the last few years, I’ve ensured that I’m home on certain days that matter to me. It just feels sweeter than it did before,” she shares.
‘A new chapter in my work life’
Navroz signifies new beginnings, and interestingly, every year, a new chapter begins for Tara around this time. “I’m finishing with a chapter in my life, workwise. The previous project has come to an end, and I’m starting something new. This time of the year always marks the beginning of an exciting new project for me,” she says. Ask her about new beginnings on the personal front, and she says, “I prefer speaking about my work and Navroz only.”
She also goes on to add, "I am excited to share whatever I can about the Parsi culture, food and traditions we follow. I share that with people on social media. In the industry, there are very few people from our community. It’s nice to be in a position where when I talk about it, people are there to listen and learn."