Rani Mukerji remembers childhood Durga Puja nights with Kajol and Ayan

Durga Puja has always been more than just a festival for Bollywood star Rani Mukerji. For her, it is a treasure chest of childhood memories.

Speaking during the ongoing celebrations, the National Award-winning actor shared how she grew up surrounded by music, dance, and cultural programs during the annual puja organized by her family in Mumbai.

Advertisement

“Everything has become such a big event now,” Rani said with a smile. “But this puja has been part of our lives since childhood. This year is our 79th year of celebrating it.”

Rani recalled how, in the earlier years, the festival was much smaller and more personal. Her parents played a key role in organising the celebrations, and the evenings were full of cultural performances.

“We cousins used to dance to Rabindra Sangeet,” she remembered. “Our aunts would choreograph the steps, and one night we would put up a play, while another night was for songs and dances. Families came together, singers performed, and the whole pandal was filled with joy.”

Also Read: Amitabh Bachchan shares Chanakya-inspired wisdom in his Dussehra message

Food has always been at the heart of these celebrations. Like every year, families served bhog, while dhaakis (traditional drummers) from West Bengal filled the atmosphere with their beats.

This year’s puja was extra special as Rani attended with her cousins and family. Actresses Kajol and Tanisha joined her, along with filmmaker Ayan Mukerji. Together, they unveiled the first look of Goddess Durga’s idol at the famous North Bombay Durga Puja pandal.

The moment also carried a sense of loss. The family grew emotional remembering veteran actor Deb Mukherjee, Ayan’s father, who passed away earlier this year. Deb Mukherjee had been deeply involved in organising the puja for decades.

Rani also opened up about how her daughter, Adira, is slowly embracing her cultural roots. “She understands Bengali a little,” Rani said. “Since my mother speaks Bengali, we also grew up learning it. Adira is part Bengali and part Punjabi, so she’s finding her balance between both cultures.”