MUMBAI: As the country celebrates Children’s Day, actress Pratiksha Rai opens up about the little habits, rituals, and quirks that still keep her deeply connected to her childhood. In a candid conversation, she reveals that despite growing up, fame, and busy schedules, the child within her is very much alive — and she cherishes that innocence more than anything.
Pratiksha begins by admitting, with a laugh, that she still cannot stay without her mother. “I need her beside me all the time,” she shares. Whether it’s sitting next to her, talking to her, or simply being around her, her mother remains her ultimate comfort zone. “Even while sleeping, I still cuddle her. Either my legs are on her or my hands are on her,” she adds, describing a bond that has stayed untouched by time.
Another childhood habit that continues to be a part of her daily life is the bedtime prayer ritual she shares with her brothers. The tradition started years ago after they watched a TV serial where the lead character prayed before sleeping. “We picked it up from there and it became a routine. Even today, no matter how tired we are, we don’t skip it,” Pratiksha says.
She also confesses that she cannot imagine taking a shower without music. What began as a childhood preference has now turned into a non-negotiable part of her day. “Since childhood, I’ve loved listening to songs while showering or cleaning the house. It just lifts my mood.”
One of her most heartfelt confessions is her nightly habit of massaging her mother’s feet. “It started because she would tell us to do it as kids,” Pratiksha recalls. “Now it’s something I do out of love. If I don’t do it, I actually start feeling anxious.” On days when she’s away for shoots or night schedules, her brothers lovingly take over the ritual — a sweet reminder of the bond the siblings share.
Even fame hasn’t changed her shy nature. Pratiksha laughs as she reveals another habit that has stayed with her since childhood: hiding in the kitchen when guests come home. “I still get nervous around guests. My brothers and I are both like that — we quietly disappear!”
For Pratiksha, these small, innocent habits are more than memories — they are a reflection of who she truly is. They anchor her to her roots, her family, and the little joys that shaped her growing-up years.
As she celebrates Children’s Day, Pratiksha says she’s grateful that the child inside her never really went away. “I think that part of me never grew up… and honestly, I don’t want her to.”
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