I look forward to sindoor khela every year: Ishita Dutta Sheth

"Ever since I was a kid, I was always fascinated by sindoor khela. It’s one of my favourite things about Durga Puja and I still vividly remember the first Durga Puja after my marriage, when I participated in sindoor khela.

It was such a beautiful feeling! Every year, I make it a point to participate in sindoor khela in Mumbai.

Unfortunately, I won’t be in Mumbai this year on Dashami, so I will really miss it. I will still try and find out if there is a pujo pandal where I can still do it,” says Ishita Dutta Sheth.

The actress, who is enjoying the success of her latest film Drishyam 3, adds, “For the first time in years, I am travelling and working during the second half of pujo. But still, with my film doing well and me getting to do good work, it feels extra special.

I will still celebrate pujo.”Asked about whether Vatsal (Sheth, her actor-husband) has taught her a few garba steps too, she laughs, “Just a few days back, he was asking me to teach garba steps to Vaayu (their son). So, I don’t think he can teach me garba steps.”‘Used to wake up to the sound of dhak in Jamshedpur’ There is no Bengali who does not love pandal hopping.

I love visiting the North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal every year. It’s organised so well, and I am really amazed by it.

My favourite pujo memories are from my childhood days spent in Jamshedpur, where we would wake up to the sound of dhak every morning. We would be pandal hopping the entire night, and there were beautiful themed pandals.

I would also participate in painting competitions.‘Diet takes a back seat during pujo’Diet takes a back seat during pujo. Food is among the first things we discuss long before pujo festivities begin.

I love visiting the food stalls near the pandals. Be it fish chop, egg chop, egg rolls, cutlets, mishti doi or sweets like kheer kadam, I can’t have enough of it!

I also look forward to the bhog in the afternoon; nothing can match its taste.‘I buy new saris every year’ Buying new saris every year is an integral part of pujo celebrations. Now, we also buy matching outfits for the kids (Vaayu, 3, and Veda, 1).

I usually get my saris from Kolkata. This time, my maasi, who stays in Asansol, sent it.

For me, pujo fashion means wearing my best saris. It’s fascinating how Bengali women carry lal paar saris so gracefully, along with those big earrings.

I love everything about Durga Puja; it’s a different vibe altogether. This time of the year is only about Maa Durga.

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Key quotes

• “For the first time in years, I am travelling and working during the second half of pujo. But still, with my film doing well and me getting to do good work, it feels extra special. I will still celebrate pujo.”

• “Just a few days back, he was asking me to teach garba steps to Vaayu (their son). So, I don’t think he can teach me garba steps.”