Sayantani to Mouli: TV stars look forward to Durga Puja festivities

Television stars Mouli Ganguly, Barkha Bisht, Sayantani Ghosh and Tina Dutta talk about why Durga Puja is important to them and their plans for the occasion this year.

With Durga Puja starting on Thursday, several television actors are ready to wear their best clothes and celebrate the festival. While some of these actors are missing out on the grand festivities in Kolkata, West Bengal, others are glad to have their families with them for the occasion.

Many television stars are looking forward to celebrating Durga Puja with gusto.

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Tina Dutta believes in Durga ma, the goddess of power.

Tina Dutta

It’s the biggest festival for Bengalis, and it is very special to me too. I wait for Durga Puja all year. I believe in Durga ma, the goddess of power. Every year, I go to Kolkata and participate in all the [traditional] rituals. But this year, as I am going to attend multiple Navaratri events, I won’t be able to go to Kolkata. I will celebrate the festival in Mumbai.

Sayantani Ghosh will be celebrating with her family this year in Mumbai.

Sayantani Ghosh

I am shooting for my ongoing TV show, so I couldn’t go to Kolkata. My parents have come to Mumbai to be with me and my brother lives with me, so we will celebrate Durga Puja together. I have taken two days off. It’s also my dad’s birthday on October 7, so it will be a double celebration for us. I have bought a few new outfits. My mum has also brought some saris for me from Kolkata.

Barkha Bisht has some family friends from Kolkata this time to celebrate Durga puja.

Barkha Bisht

My husband Indraneil Sengupta and I will go to a couple of Durga Puja pandals in the city. We visit pandals every year. But more than us, it is our daughter Meera (Sengupta) who is quite excited about the festival. We have shopped a lot for the puja, and Indraneil buys a sari for me every year for the occasion. For Meera, we have bought a lehenga. Indraneil’s parents are already here, and we have some family friends coming over from Kolkata this time, so it will be fun.

Mouli Ganguly (second from right) hopes to get one day off so that she can meet her friends for the festivities.

Mouli Ganguly

I would have loved a break for Durga Puja, but I am currently shooting for my ongoing TV show. So, I hope I get at least one day off, preferably on ashtami (the eighth day). I have told my producers that I need one day or I will die (laughs). Puja is the time when I get to meet my friends and family and enjoy the festival with them. It is something I look forward to all year.