Rakhi: TV actors share their childhood memories

Mumbai, Aug 7: Those days of playing ‘ghar-ghar’, special surprises and gifts – TV actors like Paridhi Sharma and Roopal Tyagi have fond memories of how they spent Raksha Bandhan with their siblings in the past. This year, they plan to make the festival memorable in a different way.

Paridhi, who essays Jodha in TV show "Jodha Akbar", said: "Since childhood I was very fond of playing ‘ghar-ghar’ and my brother, being a boy, was always reluctant to play along but still used to do so to keep me happy."

For Rakhi, which falls Sunday, she was keen to go to Indore to spend time with her family but shooting schedules will keep her busy. So what’s the plan?

"One of the news channels is going to connect me to my brother through video conferencing and they will be airing the segment. It is going to be an entirely new experience for me and I am looking forward to it," she said in a statement.

Mrunal Thakur, the Bulbul from "Kumkum Bhagya", regards the festival "extremely close to my heart".

"I had always wanted a brother and after praying for 12 long years, my wish was finally fulfilled the day he was born. I vividly remember our first Raksha Bandhan, I was super excited and got him a ‘Chota Bheem’ Rakhi," she said.

"My brother is one of the most important people in my life, I truly feel lucky to have him and believe that every girl should have a brother," she said.

Agrees Roopal Tyagi, who is 10 years elder to her brother.

The actress, who essays Gunjan in "Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke", recalled: "On my first Rakhi, when my brother was a few months old, my mom asked me to look after him. He was lying on the sofa and I remember, I looked away for one second and he almost fell off.

"That was the day I realised that this little baby is my responsibility and every Rakhi I am reminded of the same. He even teases me at times that I almost dropped him on our first Rakhi."

On Raksha Bandhan, sisters tie a thread on their brothers’ wrist as a symbol of taking a promise of protection. But Neha Marda feels "every brother should pamper their sisters with love and protect them from every evil, all year through."

Sharing her most special Rakhi memory, which happened to be after her wedding, the actress, who plays Urmi in "Doli Armaanon Ki", said: "All five of them (my brothers) surprised me by coming over to my in-laws’ place. This year, all my brothers are coming to Mumbai and we plan to go out for a brunch.”

Another actress, Nia Sharma, seen as Roshni in the newly launched show "Jamai Raja", views Raksha Bandhan as a day to "celebrate our bond".

"We enjoy making each other feel special with little gifts, like I always get him dairy milk chocolates because I know how much he loves them and he also plans small surprises for me like getting me a dress or taking me out for dinner.

"Since the past three years we haven’t been able to meet for Rakhi since we are both working in different cities…This Raksha Bandhan is going to be very special for the both of us since he is in town and I am definitely going to take some time off to spend some quality time with him.” (Bollywood Country Report)