Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; August 25, 2017)

For many years now, Arpita Khan Sharma has been bringing the Ganesha idol to her parents Salma and Salim Khan’s house. Last year, even after she got married, she brought the elephant God to brother Salman Khan’s house on the ground floor of Galaxy Apartments. However, this year the Ganpati celebrations have moved to Arpita and Aayush’s new house, which they’ve bought recently. In an exclusive chat with After Hrs, the couple discuss their plans this year....

New place
While the Ganpati festival has always been an annual affair at Galaxy Apartment, there is a reason why the couple decided to move it to their new home. Aayush explains, “Actually, it becomes a little difficult for dad (Salim Khan) and mom (Salma Khan) because there are so many people coming in and they don’t get their space. For two days, there are people constantly in and out, and it’s a bit much for them. Last year, too, we talked about moving it out of Galaxy. This year we got this new house and so we decided to do the celebrations at our place.”

A family affair
Arpita adds, “When I’d decided to start keeping Ganpati, we didn’t know how long we would do so. It all just happened. Now after 14 years of celebrating it, it’s become a family function. We all look forward to celebrating it. I feel truly blessed to have Ganpati Bappa grace our new home with his presence first and then we will be moving in. Galaxy will always be blessed by Ganpati and the visarjan will be at Galaxy garden.” Although the celebrations are shifting to their new abode, everything else remains unchanged. It is still the family’s Ganpati. It’s still very much the entire family’s festival. Everyone’s going to be here. It’s just that it’s at a new destination. Salman bhai will also be coming for a day to be there with us,” smiles Aayush.

Totally involved
Arpita was in New York, but she overlooked all the preparations. Aayush lets on, “She has always been gung-ho about Ganpati. The whole family considers it her festival. It’s Arpita’s Ganpati and it’s been that way forever.” Arpita adds, “It would not have been possible without my parents’ permission. My mom is equally involved with the celebrations, but she leaves the arrangements to me. We have a fixed person from whom we get our eco-friendly Ganpati idol from.” Arpita FaceTimed with Ayush from New York and made all the arrangements — from the flowers to the decorations.