I love celebrating festivals to the fullest: Sukhada Khandkekar

MUMBAI: Sukhada Khandkekar, who is seen as Saraswati in Prateek Sharma and Parth Shah’s Pukaar: Dil Se Dil Tak, which is produced under their banner, LSD Studios, enjoys celebrating festivals. She said that she is fascinated by Indian culture and understands that every festival has a deep meaning and connection.

She said, “I love celebrating festivals to the fullest—whether it's at home, on set, or even within the storyline. I'm someone who feels very fascinated by Indian culture. All our festivals are so beautifully thoughtful, and every aspect has a deep meaning, connecting us socially, psychologically, scientifically, and biologically to the time of year.”

“For example, what we eat, the sweets we make, the rituals we follow—all have a scientific or cultural significance. Each ritual is carefully woven together, keeping all these aspects in mind, and that always fascinates me.I love understanding each festival from that perspective and actively participating in them. It's especially wonderful when this celebration extends to the television set, where we get to celebrate with our extended family, the unit, and the audience who will see it. That makes it all the more special,” she added.

She is really excited to find out what they will be doing on set this year for Ganesh Chaturthi. “I'm sure it'll be special because the production house is very traditional. Whether it's a Muhurat Puja or even the smallest rituals, they make you realize the importance of these traditions, and I really appreciate that about them. So, I'm really looking forward to it,” she said.

Sukhada also shared that the best way to take time off during a festival is to plan ahead. “For me, my in-laws live in Nashik, and that's where our Ganpati celebrations take place for ten days. So, my husband Abhijeet and I, who live in Mumbai, always decide to go there. This has been our routine for the past 11 years of our marriage, and not once have we missed it. We always reach Nashik the day before Ganesh Chaturthi,” she said.

Revealing how she manages her family and work life during the festival, she said, “I observe the Hartalika fast, which I do along with my mother-in-law. We all together, do all the preparations —decorations, arrangements—everything, and then the next day, Lord Ganesha is welcomed and worshiped. That day is full of activities with friends, family, and even media friends, and the day just flies by without us realizing it.”

“From the next day onward, Abhijeet and I resume our work and shoots. This has been a ritual for the past 11 years, and I think it’s only possible if you plan it well in advance. Inform your production house beforehand so they can also plan accordingly. I’m very against last-minute notices; even if I’m unwell, I make sure not to  inconvenience anyone by informing them at the last minute. So, I had already informed everyone in advance about this. I’m really looking forward to going home,” she added.

Talking about the storyline of the show, she said, “Around this time, I'm not sure if there will be any changes to the show's storyline. Our show is currently at a very crucial point, where the fundamental family dynamics are on the verge of changing significantly. So, the focus right now is on that,” she said.

“To be politically correct, I can't reveal what's happening in the story, but you can trust me when I say that what's unfolding is very important. At this time, I'm unable to disclose anything specific about the upcoming events, but I can say that the current track is extremely significant. I just hope that by the time we reach the actual festival, this important track will be resolved, and we might be able to celebrate. But honestly, I'm not sure right now,” she concluded.