FESTIVE FERVOUR IN THE AIR!
As the 11daylong Ganeshotsav starts today, we get actors Parineeti Chopra and Arjun Kapoor to talk about their special connect with the festival and Lord Ganesha
Ganeshotsav has always been synonymous with loads of fun, celebrations and bonding. So, what better way to celebrate this holy festival than to bring close friends, Parineeti Chopra and Arjun Kapoor, together for an exclusive photo shoot and interview. “Some equations in your life just happen,” says Arjun about his bond with Parineeti, both of whom have Vipul Shah’s Namaste England coming up for release on Dussehra. Here, they open up about their idea of this festival, their memories and more.
What are your earliest Ganpati memories?
Arjun: The great thing with Mumbai — and our country as a whole — is that even before the fervour of one festival dies down, another one starts. So, in essence, you are in festive mode all the time. But of course, Ganpati is most special for Mumbai and its people, because you can literally sense Bappa’s arrival as pandals come up and idols are prepared.
Parineeti: I learnt everything about the festival only after I shifted to Mumbai about nine years back. I was aware that such a festival exists but kabhi celebrate nahi kiya tha. For us [in North India], festivals like Diwali, Dussehra, Holi and Baisakhi were always huge. And I have always felt that Ganpati Mumbai ka festival hai with all the celebrations, food and dancing.
Arjun, not many know but you’ve always had a very special connect with the festival…
Arjun: Yes, the festival — in general — has always brought along the feeling that, ‘when Ganpati bappa leaves [the end of 11-day-long Ganeshotsav], you know ki monsoon khatam hone wala hai’. And I’ve never liked the rains ever since my school days, so, mera alag hi connection hai Ganpatiji ke saath. During visarjan, I remember having danced like crazy, twice on the beach. But mostly, I’ve preferred watching the celebrations than being a part of it. Parineeti: Personally, I feel that Ganpati bhakts are the true representatives of Mumbai because for the true Maharashtrians — or whoever has been born and brought up in Mumbai — ‘Ganpati bappa morya’ possibly means as much as what ‘Om namah shivaay’ means for North Indians. Still, I feel very connected to Mumbai and feel like a true Mumbaiite during this festival.
Arjun: In a way, Ganpati is also the start of the festive season because after that, we move towards the more festive part of the year. So, you have Janmashtami, Ganpati, and then Namaste England’s release on Dussehra. Baaki festivals pe dusri filmein aayengi but Dussehra is a very important festival (laughs).
What do you like the most about this festival?
Parineeti: The fact that there are just no strict rules and regulations vis-à-vis the celebrations around Ganeshotsav. It’s all about just celebrating, dancing in the rain, or playing music. So, I just feel that such openness and freeness obviously comes from the God that you are celebrating during the festival. Arjun: Possibly, Lord Ganesha’s idol is the most positive idol, visually. It’s one God, who is content with life. When you see Ganpati, you get a sense of shanti, sukoon; and being at ease and peace with yourself. These are the emotions that we — in our generation — don’t feel since we are always on the run. I think Ganpati’s idol, visually, makes you feel that you can be comfortable in your own skin. So, it’s like, ‘be relaxed and giving’. I love the Ganpati idol also because unke saath ek chuha bhi rehta hai hamesha (He always has a mouse with Him), and there are lots of fruits and sweets. It’s a very unique and positive visual.
Talking shop, you two have teamed up again in Namaste England after Ishaqzaade. How was it getting back together? Arjun: You know, by now, such is the situation that it has become extremely difficult for us to talk normally. It takes us 15 to 20 minutes to breathe and become serious. In fact, Vipul sir (Shah; director) would give us half an hour before starting the shoot so that we are done with our dirty jokes, fights and fun. On a serious note, we both have enjoyed working with other actors but teaming up with the one you started with is almost like being naked in front of that person. I mean I don’t need to hide anything, including my weaknesses. She probably knows more of my weaknesses than strengths. Parineeti: We worked together in Ishaqzaade about six-and-a-half years back. Bade ho gayein hain ab hum log. It seems like we are actually ageing backwards because when we started out, we used to be much more serious and would fight a lot. Baba used to hate me and vice versa (laughs). Honestly, I don’t think either of us ever thought that we would work together in a love story because personal life mein aisa koi scene nahi tha aur aisi koi friendship bhi nahi thi. So, that way, we are actually ageing backwards (laughs).
But today, your friendship seems rocksolid...
Arjun: We shot for Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar recently, so we were much more relaxed coming into Namaste England. All the anxiety of working with each other again after so many years and gauging if we have changed or not [as artists] had kind of reduced. The best part was that we could pick up from where we left. For a film like this, we needed to have a good time in real life for it to appear as if we were in love on screen. Thankfully, Pari and I had that synergy naturally. Parineeti: That’s true. Baba literally knows every minute of my life. Hum log teen din bhi baat na karein toh usko pata hota hai meri life mein kya chal raha hai. Also someday, either of us could be feeling low or unwell, yet we have to make our scenes work. So when I meet him, I can feel that ki iske dimaag mein aaj
kuch chal raha hai. In such situations, we are sensitive to each other. In fact, we can openly tell each other, ‘this is what’s wrong with me today.’
Prashant Singh