Melissa D'Costa (DNA; February 14, 2014)

Over the years, February 14, as a date has been exploited to sell everything from lingerie, watches, jewellery to a horde of accessories. Some of which have no meaning or connection with the day, creating an aversion to what should essentially be a celebration of love. Valentine’s Day, a day dedicated to cupid, romance and a whole lot of mush, evokes different reactions from different people. While there are the believers in the power of romance, there are also skeptics who can’t fathom why only one day is dedicated to love, and then there are the extremists who would rather burn the red hearts than be seen with them. So, which side are actresses Parineeti Chopra and Alia Bhatt on?

‘Valentine’s Day is an excuse to go’
Parineeti says it gives her a reason to go out, “I have actually never celebrated Valentine’s Day. I mean I have never gone out with somebody saying, ‘Oh today is Valentine’s Day, so we must do something.’ But everyone is in a holiday mode on that day so I have definitely gone out and just had fun. I am not a big fan of Valentine’s Day. For me, it’s just an excuse to go out. If in a relationship, I would meet and be with that person everyday. I would not choose a particular day to celebrate Valentine’s. If I have to choose one particular day that means my relationship is in trouble.”

It’s overrated
Alia thinks there is too much hype surrounding February 14. She adds, “I think it’s overrated like New Year, and there is a certain pressure that you boyfriend has to take his girlfriend out or the girlfriend expects her teddy bear, in the same way that New Year has to be fun, you can’t sit at home. I think that’s the idea I am against. Other than that I don’t have an issue with love or anything. I think it’s cool. If you are in love, I don’t think you can celebrate it everyday. That gets a bit tiring but if you are in love there is nothing to celebrate and you are just happy.”