No Holi celebrations, this year! Television actors share their fondest Holi memories

Sayantani Ghosh, Param Singh, Neha Marda (All Photos/PR)

The festival of colours, Holi, is here. But, the COVID-19 pandemic did not let people celebrate the festival with the same zeal and vigour last year. And this year too will be the same. Looking at the rise in the COVID-19 cases, the government has put restrictions on playing Holi.

In an exclusive chat with mid-day, Television celebrities share their fondest memory of the festival and their Holi plans this year:

Bhanu Uday Goswami, Rudrakeel actor: Honestly speaking, Holi didn't mean much to me while growing up, neither while I was a teenager nor in my initial days. But everything changed for me the day my son turned two and he understood what Holi was. I actually enjoyed Holi this one time in my life just before the lockdown last year, where me, my wife and my son played Holi and it was actually the most joyous Holi I have ever had in my life. To see him my son so happy and so excited about the festival and now I will look forward to Holi purely because I want to see my son and my daughter's reaction to it.

Neha Marda

Neha Marda, who plays Shubhra in Kyun Rishton Mein Katti Batti, said, "Holi is one of the most colorful and beautiful festivals we all look forward to. And for me, I think it is even more special because it is the only festival where we pay the least attention to how we look. We can take out the worst from our wardrobe and wear it like a queen, knowing that it is going to get ruined anyway. The thing is, if you get to spend the day with your loved ones, your Holi is anyway sorted. I am going to be in Patna this time and will surely be having a gala time with my family since I'm not meeting any of my friends during Holi. And I would also want all my fans to be at home and request them to keep themselves safe because a day's celebration is not worth a thousand lives."

Sayantani Ghosh

Sayantani Ghosh, who is currently seen in the show Tera Yaar Hoon Main as Daljeet Bagga, says, "The festival of Holi brings fond memories of childhood, enjoying my time playing with colourful balloons and water guns. Today, we celebrate Holi with organic colours and while ensuring preserving our mother nature by saving water. As kids, we used to take blessing from our elders by touching their feet and applying Gulaal on each other's face. Holi is the most colourful festival and with a touch of filmy songs, it gets even better. My favourite Holi sweet is Gujiya. The central theme of Holika Dahan and burning away evil and negative thoughts and good winning over evil inspires you. This year, we will celebrate the festival differently to ensure the safety of everyone around us. This year, I would like to tell my fans to stay indoors with family and celebrating it with near and dear people."

Reem Shaikh

Reem Shaikh, who depicts the role of Kalyani in Tujhse Hain Raabta, states, "Ever since our show, Tujhse Hai Raabta started, for nearly two years, the entire cast played and celebrated Holi together. Currently, because of track changes and the recent developments, it's not possible for all of us to play together and I really miss that. This year also Holi will be very low key considering the COVID situation in Mumbai and I will be celebrating it with my near and dear ones. But I wish to one day play Holi with all the cast members associated with the show and if not on the set, then definitely somewhere else. I hope finds a cheerful way to celebrate this festival and wishing everyone a safe Holi."

Akshita Mudgal

Actress Akshita Mudgal says, "Holi brings in a lot of happiness and cheer. Every Holi, I indulge in delicious sweets and samosas and spend quality time with my family and friends. This year, I will be spending holi on the sets of ‘Ishk Par Zor Nahi' and I am equally looking forward to that. We may plan a nice pot luck celebration and feast on some delicious food together. I wish everyone a very Happy and healthy holi."

Anup Upadhyay aka Jaldiram Sharma from Jijaji Chhat Parr Koii Hai, "Holi is one of my favourite festivals, spending time with family and friends on this day makes me happy. My favourite Holi sweet is Gujiya. This year, keeping the pandemic in mind, I will wish everyone on phone and try to meet fewer people. I don't have any plans for this year but will stay connected with my family and friends through video calls. Holi is a day to enjoy to our fullest, neither we think twice before going out with our coloured faces, nor we are worried about how we look, and this is the best part of the day. During childhood, I have played Holi with all my friends in the society we used to live in, running on the streets. A team of people used to come down on the streets with loud music and dance, and I always used to enjoy it very much. My best Holi was when my brother from Canada returned home and I, along with my friends colored him from tip to toe. This year, we need to maintain social distancing and just spend time with close family members. I urge my fans to not waste water or be part of social gatherings on road. Considering the rising cases, we should try staying at our homes."

Tannaz Irani

Tannaz Irani, who is seen as Maharani Rajeshwari in Apna Time Bhi Aayega, said, "I'm Parsi but still we celebrate all the festivals, be it Christmas, Diwali or Holi. I still remember this incident; it was years back when we were attending a channel's Holi party and there was a pool in which I was literally pushed by my best friend. That time I was angry with her because it was so sudden and we were too young, but now that I think about it, I just can't stop laughing. For the past few years, I've been spending Holi at our Parsi colony with friends and family because I feel that is much safer. Even this year we plan to do the same since our kids are too young and we are being cautious about the increasing COVID cases. My only advice to everyone is to play Holi with safe colors but don't forget that the pandemic is still there. I urge everyone to be a little careful because safety is the first priority. So, play smart and happy Holi and all the best wishes from me to all of you."

Manoj Chandila

Manoj Chandila, who is currently seen in the show Teri Meri Ikk Jindri as Pappuji, said, "So, Holi is a festival we all look forward to. But this time around, the situation is not the same as it was previously. So, we should consider spending our Holi within the boundaries of our home just to be safe. I know it is a little disappointing but for everybody's safety, it is important for us to compromise a little on our enjoyment. Even I am missing those days when I used to spend Holi with my friends and family members, playing and having scrumptious food, but this time I've strictly decided to avoid social gatherings and will be staying at home."

Rajesh Shringarpure

Punyashlok Ahilyabai actor Rajesh Shringarpure says, "Holi is hands down one of the most fun festivals we celebrate in our country. It's brimmed with colours, good food, lots of thandai and joy. It signifies the triumph of the good over the evil and is celebrated with vigour and enthusiasm. Most importantly, let's remember to always have the glory of our culture in our celebrations. I am personally planning to have a safe and remote holi this time around and spend quiet time with family. Wishing everyone a bright and joyful Holi! Please don't forget to stay safe."

Child actor Aditi Jaltare, who is playing Ahilyabai Holkar, says, "I have always loved playing Holi, but this time it will be a working holi as I'll be shooting for my show ‘Punyashlok Ahilyabai'. I am looking forward to spending the day in a safe and fun manner. Krish and I have decided to have a Gujiya eating competition and I am sure the rest of the cast and crew will join in. Also, my mother makes all my favourite dishes on Holi like ‘Puran Poli' and ‘besan ke ladoo'. I cannot wait to binge on all the sweets and spend a happy holi!"

Ishk Par Zor Nahi actor Param Singh says, "To me, Holi signifies celebrating and welcoming the year ahead with a lot of hope in my heart. It's the time of the year when I enjoy gorging on festive sweets like gujiya. For me, every day is a celebration with the cast of Ishk Par Zor Nahi and I am glad to have them around… and Holi will be no different. Personally, I always propagate dry holi with organic colors and no water wastage… but this time around, I would urge people to celebrate virtual holi with their loved ones from the safety of their homes."