For Deepika Padukone, what’s great about a festival like Holi, is that it brings together people, families and communities; says the main idea of festivals for her is to ‘spend quality time’ with her loved ones
Prashant Singh (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 9, 2020)

She grew up in Bengaluru, Karnataka, where — as she puts it — the Holi fervour isn’t as much as in other parts of the country. But that never stopped Deepika Padukone from adding her share of colours to the festival along with her friends and family. Even now, she seems visibly delighted about “spending quality time” with her near-and-dear ones on such special days. “The mythology part of our festivals is obvious but what’s amazing is that festivals — be it Holi, Diwali or Ganesh Chaturthi — bring together people, families and communities. Also, I really appreciate the fact that these festivals have been going on for generations, and we still continue that tradition,” she says. Excerpts from an exclusive interview:

To start with, would you call yourself a Holi person?
The culture in south India has been slightly different. So, I remember while I was growing up, it wasn’t celebrated as much as it’s celebrated in other parts of India, especially the North. In the South, it [the celebrations] was never that much but I don’t know if things have changed now. In other parts of the country, even walking on the streets can be dangerous on Holi as anyone can randomly throw colours and eggs at you (smiles).

For you, what’s the most fascinating thing about the festival of colours?
It is the festival of colour but for me, in a way, it’s also a festival of light as my memory of it has been that it’s a ‘day time festival’. So, in my mind, the Holi day is always very bright and sunny along with a lot of colour, joy and cheer. That’s what I really appreciate a lot about the Indian culture that every few months, there’s a festival which sort of brings the entire community together, irrespective of what’s going on in the world. In that particular moment, you just forget about everything else and celebrate.

Do you have any special memories of Holi from your childhood?
For starters, it calls for great family time. One of the things we all always got [on Holi] was a public holiday. So, there was no school, and since I grew up in an apartment [in Bengaluru], I had a lot of friends. I remember all of us getting together to play Holi. Since I am someone who has always been particular about being ‘clean’, I had to be prepared much in advance that, ‘Holi aa rahi hai, so I’ve to keep aside an old set of clothes etc’. At that time, there were no organic colours; so it was all about hard colours which didn’t come off for weeks.

So, you would have unstinted fun?
Yes, but since I was in school, I would also be worried as to how much Holi I can play as schools had their strict rules. In that moment though, you don’t think about those things. But I remember my parents telling me to apply a lot of oil on my face, hair and skin so that colours don’t get into the skin a lot, and could come off easily later. And there was no way we could roam around after playing Holi, as we were supposed to head straight into the shower so as to not mess up the house.

Now, that you are married [to actor Ranveer Singh], have things changed vis-à-vis Holi celebrations in particular, or festivals in general?
Not really! We both have always celebrated festivals. So, as much as possible, we try and be in the city, with family. We did the same even before marriage. So, nothing has changed as such, apart from the fact that earlier, the main celebration would take place in my house. Now, we [Ranveer and I] do a small pooja in our house and then we go to our in-laws’ home where everyone is together. So, it’s a bigger celebration. If our respective parents can be together [on that day], then that’s the best thing. Otherwise, my in-laws are here so a part of the family is always around (smiles). We don’t do anything very elaborate. For us, the main idea of festivals or holidays is to spend quality time together.

What’s your idea of Holi? Has it changed over the years?
For me, Holi stands for a celebration of happiness, togetherness, and good food (smiles). And it’s great that such festivals are a really intrinsic as well as rich part of our culture. I feel that’s the beauty of our Indian culture and tradition. When we [actors] are [shooting] outdoors and miss out on celebrating a festival with the family, we, of course, try and celebrate in our own way with the unit but from the inside, you miss being in your city and with your family.

For you, what’s the best thing about the festival of colours?
I think it’s the feeling of sheer abandon. The other Indian festivals are more ritualistic, whereas Holi, according to me, is one festival where there’s a lot of abandon. And that’s what sets it apart from all the other festivals.

Is there anything that you don’t like much about it?
Eggs, I feel, is a bit too much (smiles). And I’ve an interesting story about eggs, my mum and Holi. She will be very upset that I have revealed the story but I have to (laughs). This is from before I had moved to Mumbai, and I was just about starting my modelling career. I had come to the city for a day with mum for an audition for a soap brand. After I finished my audition in the morning, we decided to go to meet my granddad, who lives at Peddar Road. From suburbs, we took a taxi and once we reached, mum said, ‘since it is Holi, let’s not take a chance. Let’s not get down [across the road from the building] and walk on foot to cross the road. Instead, we can take a U-turn’.

Then, what happened?
I was like, ‘mum, it doesn’t make any sense. The roads are empty, and so we can cross it walking’. And while we were crossing the road, a group of boys threw eggs at us, which hit my mum. Later, she said, ‘I think they were trying to aim at you but eggs hit me instead’. Since that day, my favourite Holi memory is that (laughs). We didn’t even have a spare set of clothes as it was just a day trip. The whole day, she smelt of eggs as it went into her hair also. I think she will never forgive me for that. But I guess it’s all in the spirit of Holi. I do not see people letting go of so much during any other festival.

Do you have any special plan for this year’s Holi?
It’s the same; nothing special. Ranveer [Singh; husband] called me up a couple of days back in the evening, and the first thing he asked me was if I am working [on the Holi day]. Sometimes, it’s [working on Holi] really unavoidable. But as much as possible, we try and be with each other on festivals. Since no one else works on that day, it’s a great day to spend time with one another. Also, I’ll leave for my outdoors [for director Shakun Batra’s yet-untitled next] soon, for about a month or month-and-a-half, to Sri Lanka. So, Holi gives me an opportunity to spend quality time with my family before I go.

Work-wise, how are things looking?
I am starting Shakun’s [Batra] film next. In fact, I will leave for its Sri Lanka schedule next week itself. That’s why I am looking forward to Holi a little more because it’s that day when I will get to spend some time with everyone before all the hectic travelling, shooting etc. starts. My other film, The Intern adaptation, in all likelihood, will go into production in the beginning of 2021, around January. However, I am looking at doing something else too, in the second half of this year.
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A colourful, reel stint with Holi!

“It started with Balam Pichkari (from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani; 2013) and, of course, there’s also Lahoo Mooh Lag Gaya (from Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela; 2013). If I may say, Balam Pichkari is like Rang Barse (Silsila; 1981) of our generation. Nowadays, every Holi party starts with Rang Barse, and the second song has to be Balam Pichkari. So, it’s become a new-age Holi anthem. It feels nice to have been part of such an iconic song. On the other hand, Lahoo Mooh Lag Gaya is a very different kind of Holi song — very Sanjay Leela Bhansali-ish and extremely sensual. For me, the fascination was that though we see Holi in it with a full-on celebration, his interpretation and the way he showed Holi was in stark contrast to the way we know the festival, or the way we play it.”