Rani Mukerji: We are celebrating Durga Puja in all its glory this year, just like the old times – Times of India

“Maa Durga is a symbol of Shakti, and since childhood, we have grown up listening to stories of her brave battle with Mahishasura,” she says, adding, “She has always given me strength from within. Durga Puja is an important time for all Bengalis, as this is one festival where we go all out and celebrate. We hang out with our families, eat our hearts out and soak in our culture. These five days are to rejoice with our near and dear ones,” she says.

‘It is a moment of great pride that we are celebrating 75 years of our Pujo this year’

While the festival has always been extremely close to her heart, this year, it holds a special significance for the Mukerji family. “I am eternally grateful that Durga Maa has blessed our family and friends who are associated with the North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Puja, to be able to carry on the celebrations for 75 years,” she tells us.
Organised by the Bollywood family, the Puja is touted to be among the largest pujas in the western suburbs and is celebrating its diamond Jubilee this year. “It is a moment of great pride and happiness that we celebrate 75 years of our Pujo this year. It’s truly special. May Durga Maa give us more power to continue with the same enthusiasm in the coming years. After two years of cautious celebrations and staying away from doing a public event, our Pujo is back in its splendour, and our entire family is enjoying it with a lot of enthusiasm. This is a great event for all of us, and during the five days of Pujo, we are all under one roof. It is wonderful to see everyone together after two years. This year it is more fun as we are celebrating the festival in all its glory, just like old times.”

‘We love serving the bhog prasad’

It’s been a long-time tradition in the Mukerji clan that includes veteran Bollywood actor Deb Mukherjee (one of the founder members and the main organiser of the annual Pujo), actresses Kajol, Rani, Sharbani Mukherji, filmmaker Ayan Mukerji and others, to serve the bhog prasad (community feast) to every devotee who visits the Pujo. “For me, Durga Puja brings a unique chance to serve and enjoy bhog. I have had bhog since my childhood. The poribeshon (serving the food) that we do is something we love doing. The bhog khichudi (khichdi made of lentils, rice and spices) made during Durga Pujo always tastes divine. It will never taste the same if made during any other time of the year. I feel the difference is actually the magic of all the festivities,” she shares.

‘It’s great to celebrate the festival with Adira’

For Bengalis, no celebration is complete without good food. Rani agrees and says, “I have been looking forward to trying the street food at the Durga Puja stalls. In fact, Adira tasted her first cup of kadak chai in a clay cup with me at her first Durga Puja. And this year, she is very keen to savour the kadak chai served in the bharr (kulhad), which she finds very fascinating as the taste of the tea changes because it is served in the mud cup. She remembers the festival clearly even though she visited it two years back when she was only three-and-a-half years old. It’s great to celebrate the festival with her.”

‘The excitement of buying new clothes for Durga Puja has changed for me’

Wearing festive finery is a big part of Durga Puja celebrations and buying and wearing new clothes during the festival is a ritual followed by most. However, Rani says she does not shop just before Pujo. She says, “The excitement of buying new clothes for Durga Puja has changed for me. I don’t exactly shop before Pujo; rather, I keep shopping for it throughout the year.”