Actress
Suzanne Bernert, who has been a part of several acclaimed television shows and films, is celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi this year away from India. Currently in her home country Germany with her parents, the actress fondly remembered the significance of the festival in her life and how it became special after she shifted to Mumbai.
She shared, “After shifting to Mumbai in India, the Ganeshotsav became very special in my life. I celebrated the festival all this while with my late husband Akhil Mishra. Him being from a Hindu family, the festival used to be very significant. A festival that pays homage to Lord Ganesh, the remover of obstacles, and celebrates the day of his birth.”
Suzanne recalled how Mumbai comes alive during the 10-day celebrations. “The city transforms into a vibrant spectacle during the festival, with devotional energy filling every street. At the centre of it all is Lalbaugcha Raja, Mumbai's most famous Ganpati idol, revered for more than 90 years. We used to do Pandal hopping like every Mumbaiker and I even hosted a TV show on how a foreigner experiences Ganesh Utsav. From making Modak with the mayor to visiting families and interviewing them, it was always a beautiful experience.”
This year, however, she is observing the festival in Germany. “I'm here to help my parents as my Dad just had a knee surgery. My mother, who came to India several times, also connects and loves Lord Ganesha. She wears a Ganpati locket that I gifted her in 2007 as protection. So we are celebrating the festival here.”
Talking about rituals, she added, “I will perform the rituals today. The Ganpati idols at my mom’s home have come from different sources and as gifts. So we are including all that we have here to welcome Ganesh ji’s blessings.”
On the work front, Suzanne has appeared in shows like Pyar Ka Pehla Naam: Radha Mohan, Jhansi Ki Rani, Sanskaar Laxmi, and Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat, and films including No Problem, The Accidental Prime Minister, and Yatra 2.