Shah Rukh Khan tempts Rani Mukerji away from Durga Puja

Rani Mukerji’s familiar face won’t be spotted serving bhog to guests during the first three days of Durga Puja in Mumbai. She will be away in Australia and Malaysia from Oct 4-11 for the Temptations Reloaded show along with Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Jacqueline Fernandez, Meiyang Chang and Yo Yo Honey Singh.

The puja this year is from October 9 to 14 (panchami to bijoyadashami) Rani will return to the city on October 12.

Says a source, “When she was asked to join the TR shows, Rani took time to mull over the decision, as she’s always been present at the Mukerji’s Durga Puja. It’s been a tradition for years ever since family patriarch Shashadhar Mukerji started it at their Santa Cruz bungalow.

For the last few years, their family puja is held on the grounds of a five star hotel in the city. The puja has become a grand event. The family tends to the thousands who flock to the grounds to pay obeisance the Maa Durga deity and personally serve bhog to their family and friends.

Saying yes to the show meant not be present this year, so she was hesitant. But when SRK made a special request to her to join the troupe, she agreed immediately.”

The source adds that the Durga Puja this year is a special one for Rani and the Mukerji family. “Aditya Chopra and his mother Pamela are expected to make an appearance.

Rani and Pam have become extremely close post Yash Chopra’s demise last year and Rani is keen that her future Maa-in-law attend the pujas this year and make it a family occasion.”