Rakul Preet Singh cherishes memories of celebrating Navaratri in a grand way as a kid. But over the years, she has gained a different perspective on the relevance of these glorious Indian festivals and their significance in our lives. As a self-made, successful actress in Bollywood, she looks at Navaratri as a celebration of the spirit of womanhood.

She says, “In our mythology, there is so much importance given to the power of women and there are festivals celebrating that. Somewhere, we probably lost our way and became a patriarchal society. I feel these festivals remind us of the power each woman possesses. Women are the most beautiful beings on the planet. We are strong and empathetic. Each woman should rise above the rituals of a festival and understand its true significance. On Navaratri, it’s all about her power, voice, and standing in society.”

However, she can’t wait to revel in the festive feeling of a deluge of people coming together as one, irrespective of state, religion, or language, and just exuding pure joy to mark the festival. “It’s beautiful to see so many people forget their daily struggles, their differences, dancing to the vibe around and sharing so much happiness, which is special. And that’s how I like celebrating my festivals,” she shares, adding, “For Navaratri, if I get time off from my schedule, I plan to go for a garba or dandiya night where I can be part of this oneness that Indian festivals embody. And what better place to do that than Mumbai!”

And what about her Navaratri OOTDs? Well, for festivals, Rakul believes in keeping it traditional yet comfortable. “Festivals are about sharing joy with people, not about getting stuck in a dress so bad that you can’t move around freely! For Navaratri, I opt for easy, free-flowing Indian outfits, lighter earrings, pops of bright colours… so I can feel close to my Indian roots, but at the same time, enjoy,” she signs off.