Rakhee Gulzar has very fond memories of the Durga Puja festivities in Kolkata. Zoom exclusively spoke to the veteran actress about her Durga Puja memories and what the festival means to her. “The new clothes, the decorated pandaals, the adorned moorthis, the bhog, the mithai.
..it used to be a very exciting time for us.
I remember the josh, the enthusiasm we children felt about the Durga Puja. Now all that is gone,” the diva sighs. “And it isn’t just about childhood.
I think once I became a known face, visiting any religious place, or for that matter, any public place became impossible. Even in places of worship, it becomes impossible to move around comfortably as people stare and point at you. I remember how I had to cover my face with a dupatta when you took me to Bodh Gaya.
Now it is even worse. While you are trying to pray and seek Devi Maa’s blessings, there are people taking your pictures on the phone. So my joy of enjoying Puja festivities died long ago,” says Raakhee.
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I would love to be in Kolkata during Durga Puja. It’s been a while since I mingled with the fe.