I make sure I'm at home for Ganesh Chaturthi: Vidya Balan

The excitement is evident on Vidya Balan’s face as the actor’s preparing to bring the Bappa home today. “Ganesh Chaturthi is my most favourite festival and I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” says the actress.

Luckily Vidya’s shooting in the city itself this time around, but the actor reveals that she would have made it home no matter where she would have been. “Yes, it’s the only festival when I make sure that I’m at home celebrating it with full zest,” shares the Bolly beauty, who’ll be having the Ganesha home for a day and a half.

This time around it’ll be all the more special at home as her sister has  delivered twins recently. “I have my own two Ganeshas home this time,” she smiles.

Talking about the elephant God, she says that “He’s more of a friend for me.” “I believe in ‘God’ but the form of Ganpati is my favourite for sure. Also the elephant has always been my favourite animal, so I’ve always liked the form of Ganpati the most.”

The actress also associates some of her fondest childhood memories with the festival. “As a kid I used to live in Chembur and we would have a community Ganpati. The excitement would start with decorating the pandal, then welcoming the Bappa amidst the dhols and a lot of dancing. Then there would be the aartis, the prasad and waking up to Utha Utha ho Sakalika sung beautifully by Lataji (Mangeshkar). Even on visarjan there would be a lot of mad dancing,” shares Vidya.

But her fondest memory she says is undoubtedly of the one where she stood on the Matunga bridge with her dad. “I was probably in the fourth standard and I stood on the Matunga bridge and counted 80 huge Ganpatis pass by that way on the day of the visarjan. It was beautiful.” The actress also feels that there’s no other festival that captures the spirit of the city as beautifully. “The fervour of the city is unbeatable during this time,” she says. Vidya’s also a supporter of celebrating it the eco-friendly way. “It’s heartening to see many getting eco-friendly Ganeshas. It will go a long way in giving the coming generations a better future.”

So what will she be asking the Ganesha this time? “There’s so much to thank him for and he’s always been kind to me. I really do feel blessed,” says Vidya.