BOLLYWOOD
An ardent devotee of the Elephant God since his childhood, Hrithik Roshan tells us why he doesn’t need to say goodbye to Ganpati any longer
If there is one guest who has been a regular visitor to the Roshan household ever since Hrithik was born, it’s Bappa. “If I’m not mistaken, mom had brought Ganpati to the house for the first time the year I was born,” the 43-year-old actor tells us.
No wonder then, that Hrithik feels such a strong connect with Mumbai’s favourite God. “I share a very strong emotional bond with him. I used to believe that He loves kids and that was something my grandmother told me. My dida used to say that whatever I wish with all my heart, honesty and goodness, Ganpati will make it all come true. So each time I prayed to him, it was overwhelming and that emotional bond has lasted all these years. Even now, when I pray to him, the tone of the prayer in my head is the same,” he adds.
The light-eyed star brought Ganpati to his house this year as well, and although it was his mother, chachi and sister, who decorated the idol, Hrithik, too, partook in the celebrations. Guests poured in all day long and that, he says, is one of the most beautiful things about this festival. “It’s a day that brings automatic joy and you share that joy with others. To find everybody in this fantastic spirit, where everybody wants to give love,” he says.
Of course, now, he doesn’t gorge on sweets like he used to earlier. “When I was a kid, I used to look forward to Ganpati because of the modaks,” he confesses with a laugh. “But that was a time to take, now is the time to give. So, now, I find joy in offering it to my guests,” he adds.
What has also changed, at least over the past two years, is that the actor has started bringing eco-friendly Ganpati to his home. “Earlier, we used to gather around the idol, there would be drums and I would dance all the way to the beach for the visarjan. But today, I think we do something even more beautiful,” he says. The environmentally-conscious actor wants people to assume responsibility for the planet we’re living on. “What is the world we’re leaving behind for our kids? We have to be very responsible. The Ganesha idol we bring to our house is so beautiful. It dissolves into the soil and becomes the fuel and food for the plants that grow out of that soil. So in essence, Ganpati never really leaves us. All these years, we used to say goodbye to it but now, it stays with us all year in our homes,” he adds.
Remind him of the Deva Shree Ganesha song picturised on him for the movie Agneepath, and one can hear the emotion well up in him. “It was a special song and it was the easiest shoot for me as I didn’t have to act! My feelings are so genuine about Ganpati and it all came naturally to me,” he reminisces. For Hrithik, that song remains one of the most beautiful Ganpati songs of all times. “It really embodies all the feelings that one has when you think of Ganpati. It has the fervour, the passion, the hope, the devotion and the faith. I was very honoured and lucky to have gotten this opportunity. I think somewhere it manifested because of my connection with him. I’d like to believe that,” he adds with a smile.
Although Hrithik’s prayers to Ganpati now are more of gratitude, he does have one blessing to ask the deity. “The only wish I have is for Him to bless my children. To make them emotionally and physically strong, for them to grow into individuals, who have built and learnt the skill to keep themselves empowered, no matter what,” says Hrithik.
Darshan case: Karnataka HC reserves order on jailed actor's bail plea
DNA TV Show: Congress’ fresh allegations against SEBI chief Madhabi Puri Buch
Mukesh Ambani acquires another company after 3 years, it manufactures...
Hyderabad: Visually challenged couple lives unaware with son's body for 4 days
Noel Tata makes first major appearance since Ratan Tata's demise, seen at...
J-K: Light snowfall in higher reaches of Kashmir, IMD predicts cloudy weather for...
WATCH: Son gets Rs 3 lakh porn movie offer, his mom's reaction goes viral
Bigg Boss 18: Vivian Dsena's wife Nouran Aly gives stern warning to Karan Veer Mehra, says don't...
Bollywood’s biggest flop sold only 500 tickets, made at Rs 45 cr, it earned only…, it starred…
7th Pay Commission: Diwali GIFT for govt employees of this state, DA hiked by...
Instagram down: Users face issues while sending messages, say, 'Rehne do fir'
Bigg Boss 18: Nyrraa Banerji opens up on her 'love angle' with Shehzada Dhami, says 'both of us...'
Ahead of Diwali, Akshay Kumar donates Rs 10000000 in Ayodhya for...
Dhanteras 2024 Shubh Muhurat: Puja timings, vidhi and what to buy
Mukesh Ambani's company gets RBI approval, set to operate as an online...
Who is the richest kid of Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani? Is it Akash, Isha or Anant? Know here
Watch: Amazon Alexa launches Diwali rocket, viral video stuns internet
Dimple Kapadia reacts to being social media savvy like Zeenat Aman: 'If I’ll ever be....'
Amid affair rumours with Abhishek Bachchan, Nimrat Kaur requests everyone to...
Rising Trends In Fertility Due To Environmental Pollution
Andrew Spira's New Book: A Guide To Entrepreneurial Resilience
What Makes Furniture Truly Cosy?
Delhi NCR news: Delhi Police, NCB bust meth lab in Noida, 5 arrested
Good news for Gautam Adani on Dhanteras 2024, his flagship company's profit jumps to Rs...
IND vs NZ: Star bowler called up to India’s squad for 3rd Test, likely to make debut in Mumbai
Meet woman, who cracked UPSC exam on her first attempt at age 23, to become...
Amid Aishwarya Rai-Abhishek Bachchan divorce rumours, know what 'grey divorce' means
IND vs NZ: India’s another landmark record at stake in Mumbai Test vs New Zealand
Who is Sheikh Naim Qassem, the new chief of Lebanon's Hezbollah?
PM Modi launches health cover for senior citizens; know eligibility, how to apply here
Chhoti Diwali 2024: Know significance of celebration, shubh muhurat, rituals and more
College student jumps from 4th floor of hostel thinking he had...
'Not Saint, Sadhu or...': Jaya Kishori hits back at trolls slamming her for Dior bag
Aishwarya Rai’s remark on divorce plans with Abhishek Bachchan goes viral: ‘We don’t even…’
Sunita Williams sends Diwali wishes from space, here's what she said; watch
Diwali 2024 long weekend: Banks to remain closed for four days in THESE states, full list here
'Monopoly Bachao Syndicate': LoP Rahul Gandhi alleges 'nexus' among Adani Group, BJP and...
Good news for Indians, Russia to offer visa-free travel by...
Big trouble for Gautam Adani, SEBI slaps show-cause notice to Adani Power, shares price fall by...
Two killed, several injured in Metro construction site accident in Patna, probe underway
Mukesh Ambani's BIG Diwali gift, JioFinance app will now let you buy gold for just Rs...
Mukesh Ambani's JioSaavn's festive offer: 3-month subscription for just Rs...
Baba Siddique's son Zeeshan Siddique gets threat message; accused held from Noida
J-K attack: Army dog 'Phantom' dies in anti-terror operation, honoured for sacrifice
Glenn Maxwell reveals Virat Kohli blocked him on Instagram after...
Mukesh Ambani's Diwali gift to Reliance employees is a box of..., watch viral video
Fashion designer Ratul Sood passes away playing golf in Kolkata
UP govt announces big gift ahead of Diwali, all employees of THIS department to be made permanent
How can AI, ML skills help sharpen problem-solving abilities in children?
Kerala: Over 150 injured, 8 critical, in fireworks accident during temple festival
Ratan Tata's Rs 10,000 crore Will: Who gets what? Here's all the details
Delhi-NCR AQI today: Delhi air quality remains 'very poor' ahead of Diwali despite firecracker ban
Ex-Pakistani cricketer takes brutal dig at Rohit Sharma, calls India 'Kagaz se sher aur...'
Is stock market open or closed on Dhanteras? Know details here
Kunal Kamra accepts Bhavish Aggarwal's 'join Ola' offer, has THESE demands
Education ALERT: Avoid these courses at all costs, no job guarantees
Salman Khan can’t take his eyes off Aishwarya Rai in viral video, fans say ‘inki shaadi hoti toh…’
Ahead of Diwali and Chhath Puja, Railways to run 250 special trains from today: Check full list
Israel passes law banning UNRWA operations in country: What does that mean?
Happy Dhanteras 2024: Wishes, WhatsApp messages, quotes, greetings to share with your loved ones
Delhi traffic advisory issued for ‘Run For Unity’ today, check list of routes to avoid here
Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale 2024 ends today, don't miss these fantastic deals