Actor Fatima Sana Shaikh, accompanied by her pet dog Bijlee, welcomes us into her Mumbai abode, decked with books and retro decor, on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha. For Shaikh, Eid is more than just a religious observance. “More than religion, it’s about meeting people, laughing together... That’s the best part about festivals; they bring people together,” says the actor, currently working on Anurag Basu’s film, Metro... In Dino.

As we engage in conversation, the customary, light-hearted banter about Eidi (gifts given during Eid) naturally ensues. When probed about the ritual, Shaikh chuckles and reveals, “Ab toh Eidi nahin milti! The last time I got Eidi, I was 15... Ab toh Eidi dene ki umar ho gayi hai.”

The 31-year-old actor also fondly recalls indulging in delectable “kheer and pooling together Eidi money with friends to splurge on cold drinks”. “Back then, you could get a cola for just Rs. 5!” she reminisces, adding, “We would get chips and have our own little party, away from the elders.”

Having grown up in Mumbai, the Thar (2022) actor says that she enjoyed the experience of celebrating all festivals in her building. “My building had people of every religion... On Eid, our parents and sometimes us, the children, would go to every house and offer biryani. Our neighbours would eagerly await it. That’s the beauty of festivals,” she smiles.