Shruti Haasan can’t wait to dig into ‘epic’ food this Pongal

It is going to be another working day for actor Shruti Haasan, who is currently in Hyderabad, shooting for a film. Pongal, a harvest festival celebrated by Tamilians, marks the beginning of new opportunities and beginnings and also at times coincides with the festival Makar Sankranti celebrated throughout India as the winter harvest. Shruti, a Tamilian, celebrates the day with her family, each year as a tradition. “I try to head home for Pongal, but this time I will be celebrating the festival in Hyderabad on the sets. In a way, working on this auspicious day is a great beginning to the year ahead,” she says.

For every other Pongal occasion, she heads to Chennai to be with her parents and sister every year. They then head to her Godmother’s house for a traditional lunch. “The most epic thing about this festival is the food. In fact, it is the best thing about all Indian festivals. I love the sakra pongal (sweet) and the spicy one as well. I relish both of them equally,” she reveals.  Pongal is a sweet dish of rice boiled with lentils, which is ritually consumed on this day. It is prepared by boiling rice with fresh milk and jaggery which is later topped with brown sugar, ghee, cashew nuts and raisins.

Pongal is also one of those auspicious days for the South film industry, who time their movie releases accordingly. Says Shruti, “If you are born in a Tamil film family, then either your dad has a film release or someone else in the family. Last year, I had a release during the festival and this time, I am shooting for a film. It’s great.” And what is on her wishlist? “Definitely, some more wisdom, peace and happiness for everyone,” she says.