I dress almost like a bride on karva chauth: Sridevi

It’s KarvaChauth tomorrow — one of the most significant festivals celebrated predominantly by women in North India. We spoke to Bollywood actresses who have started following the tradition after tying the knot with men from the North.
Sridevi
I have been celebrating Karva Chauth for almost 20 years now. Earlier, we would go to my mother-in-law’s place, but after my father-in-law passed away, we have been going to Anil’s (Kapoor) house.This year too, we’ll be celebrating it there. A day before Karva Chauth, all the women in our family get together and we apply mehndi on our hands. The next day, we all come together to perform the puja at around 4.30 pm and then, there is an endless wait for the moon. I feel that on Karva Chauth, the moon always shows up later than the usual time (laughs). All of us wait on the terrace anxiously and it seems like an eternal wait. Since I don’t even drink water during the fast, I get a bit more impatient. I always break my fast with the water used for the puja. After that, all the three families and close friends have dinner together. I also dress up for the occasion by wearing bright colours and heavy jewellery. I almost dress like a bride (laughs). You pray for your family everyday, but it’s nice to pray for your husband’s well-being on this day

Sonali Bendre
I’m used to having small meals every two hours, so I find it difficult to starve. But all the pampering by my mother-in-law and my husband makes the fast worth it. My mother-in-law firmly believes in the tradition and as a daughter-in-law, I feel it is that one day in a year when I want to show my gratitude towards them. I also look forward to catching up with my sister-in-law and friends on this day. I love mawa pedas and break my fast by having them.

Shilpa Shetty Kundra
South Indians don’t celebrate Karva Chauth, but since I’m married to a Punjabi, I’ve been celebrating it for a few years now. I always dress up in traditional finery and jewellery on the occasion. And this year, I have designed my own sari, too. As much as I enjoy the festival, I hate fasting. Every year, I, along with my other friends, meet up at friend’s place. We perform aarti in the evening and follow the usual ritual.

Hema Malini
I have been celebrating Karva Chauth for many years. But now, the attention has shifted to my daughters — Esha and Ahana. I still perform the puja and observe the fast, which is not a big thing for me, as I anyway fast every Monday and Friday. The only difference is that on Karva Chauth, I break my fast once I spot the moon. But this time around, I will be a bit busy since I am campaigning.​

Esha and Ahana
I’ve been observing Karva Chauth for my husband, Bharat (Takhtani) for the last four years. Even when I was dating him, I used to fast for him. This time, it has coincided with Bharat’s birthday. So we’ll be celebrating the festival as well as his birthday at our farmhouse in Lonavla. Like every year, he will also fast with me. Fasting is easy since I am used to dieting, but not drinking water gets difficult as I keep sipping water throughout the day. My sister, Ahana, has come down from Delhi specially for the occasion. She is extremely excited as this is her first Karva Chauth. She has even organised a mehndiwali for us. She is a tomboy, but has decided to wear all her finery for the occasion. I will wear a salwar kurta. In the morning, we all will perform the puja and follow the rituals.