Raksha Bandhan is a festival symbolising love and protection between brothers and sisters. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm in which a sister ties a talisman or an amulet, also called Rakhi, around her brother’s wrist. This Raksha Bandhan, female protagonists from &TV talk about their special bond with their brothers and the celebrations in store this year. These include Shivya Pathania (Devi Parvati, Baal Shiv), Kamna Pathak (Rajesh Singh, Happu Ki Ultan Paltan), and Vidisha Srivastava (Anita Bhabi, Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai. Shivya Pathania, Devi Parvati in &TV’s Baal Shiv, shares, “We celebrate Raksha Bandhan most traditionally. It is always a huge festival in my hometown, Himachal Pradesh. We host the festivities in our old house with my extended family. In our home, it is almost like a custom where we meet ties Rakhi to our brothers and then binge on our favourite cuisine. And nothing will change this year either. Due to my busy shooting schedule, I will not be able to attend the event with my family this year. However, I will send my Rakhi to my younger sister Divya, who will tie it on my brother Shivam’s hand on my behalf, and I will be present on the video call to see it. But that does not mean that my Raksha Bandhan will end there. As soon as I get my next long break, I will visit home and have a good time with my family and, of course, my beloved brother. Gift bhi to lena hai (laughs). But to be honest, my brother is very special to me. He is not just my brother but also a father when I am looking for any guidance and a friend when I must share some secret and have an opinion. I am grateful to have a brother like him in my life. I wish Shivam and all my other brother’s a very Happy Raksha Bandhan”.
Kamna Pathak, Rajesh in & TV’s Happu Ki Ultan Paltan, shares, “Coming from a big, fat Indian family, this festival has always been a grand affair for me. In my house, the Rakhi party includes a mélange of mouth-watering foods, from the yummiest appetisers to delicious desserts made by my mom. Given my shoot schedule and my brother’s travel plans, we will celebrate the festival virtually. But I have already chosen my Rakhi, which I couriered to him along with a small gift. I am sure he will like it. The fun part is that even though my brother is younger than me, he behaves like an elder brother. He is protective and caring and tries to boss around (laughs). He has been my constant through thick and thin. I do feel sad to be not there this time.
But our bond is exceptional and not dependent on these matters. We will make the most of our time when we meet next! Wishing everyone a very happy rakshabandhan.” Vidisha Srivastava, Anita Bhabi in & TV’s Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai, shares, “I adore my brother, Gaurav. He is one of the most important people in my life who has always been there. Together we are a house on fire. We love pranking and troubling each other. We will have a get-together at our place, and I will cook some of Gaurav’s favourite dishes. He has always pampered my sister and me with gifts and special gestures. Now we would like to do the same for him. He is elder to me and has always been my friend, philosopher and guide. He has been the number one cheerleader. We are two peas in a pod; our parents knew that, if nothing else, we had each other’s backs. I pray for his well-being on Raksha Bandhan and every day”.
Watch Baal Shiv at 8:00 pm, Happu Ki Ultan Paltan at 10:00 pm, and Bhabiji Ghar Par Hai at 10:30 pm, airing every Monday to Friday only on &TV!