For these stars, Bappa means more than a festival
For many, Ganeshotsav is a celebration of faith, family and tradition. For these actors, however, the festival is also very personal — a time to come together with loved ones, reflect on their journeys and seek Bappa ’s blessings. From welcoming Ganesha home for decades to finding strength, peace and positivity in his presence, they share what the festival means to them and the role it has played in their lives over the years.
Bappa has brought peace and positivity: Delnaaz Irani
For Delnaaz Irani, her connection with Bappa goes back to her childhood, when pandal-hopping and seeking darshan at Lalbaug Cha Raja were annual traditions. She has been bringing Bappa home for several years now.
“Bappa has always been very close to my heart. As children, we would visit different pandals, stand in queues, have prasad and do our darshan. For me, respecting all religions has always been important. At the end of the day, it is the Supreme Being that matters.” She doesn’t associate Bappa’s arrival with material wishes. “I never looked at it as Bappa coming home to fulfil a particular wish. I just feel a different kind of joy and happiness during those days. He has brought peace of mind, togetherness and positivity. Life has been very blissful, touch wood, and I genuinely feel Bappa has helped remove many obstacles.”
Prosperity is having your loved ones around: Arjun Bijlani
Arjun Bijlani has been bringing Bappa home for 22 years, making the festival an integral part of his family life. “It has become much more than a festival for me. It feels like bringing a family member home. The moment Bappa arrives, everything else takes a backseat. We sit together, do the aarti, have prasad and enjoy those moments as a family. I have seen many beautiful phases in my career and personal life, and through all of them, Bappa has been a constant.” He adds, “Prosperity is having your loved ones around, being able to do the work you love and having the strength to face whatever comes your way. Whatever more I achieve is a bonus.”
He has given me the strength to face whatever life has brought my way: Kajal Pisal
Kajal Pisal has been bringing Bappa home since 2010, making this her 15th year of the tradition. “Bringing Bappa home has truly been a blessing. My relatives, cousins, friends and loved ones come together to seek his blessings,” she says. She credits Bappa with giving her strength through different phases of life. “We know Bappa as Vighnaharta, and I have always had faith in him. He has given me the strength to face whatever life has brought my way. We go through ups and downs, but to deal with them, one needs strength.” She adds, “He brings peace and happiness, and having my loved ones around me is the biggest prosperity Bappa has blessed me with.”
I’ve felt more prosperity — not just in success, but in happiness, peace, and the people around me: Ashnoor Kaur
This is my third year bringing Bappa home, and it’s very special. Raised in Mumbai and working in an industry that deeply worships Bappa, I feel a natural sense of devotion. We had three beautiful days filled with modaks, guests, fun and positivity. Since Bappa started coming home, I’ve felt more prosperity — not just in success, but in happiness, peace, ambition and the people around me. They say increasing Bappa’s murti each year brings greater prosperity, and for me, it truly feels magical.
Bappa brings good health and positivity to our family: Aditya Deshmukh
For Aditya Deshmukh, Ganeshotsav is a 26-year-old family tradition. “It’s been 26 years since we started bringing Bappa home in 2000. Our entire family and friends come together to celebrate.” He sees the festival as a time of faith, togetherness and hope. “Ganpati has always been a symbol of prosperity for us, and I have seen positive changes in my father’s career, my own journey and my mother’s health after Bappa comes home. I believe he takes away all the negativity and leaves behind positive energy. For me, Ganpati is about faith, happiness, prosperity and most importantly, bringing the family together.”
I am everything today because of Bappa: Shiv Thakare
For Shiv Thakare, Bappa has been a part of his life since birth. “We have been bringing Bappa home since I was born. We keep him for 10 days, and even that feels like too little. We do his seva and celebrate. He has given me the name and the life I have.” Shiv says seeking Bappa’s blessings has become an important part of his journey. “I always visit Siddhivinayak before any project. From giving us a big house to helping me navigate this profession, he brings positivity into our home. I am everything today because of Bappa.”
Bappa has brought peace and positivity: Delnaaz Irani
For Delnaaz Irani, her connection with Bappa goes back to her childhood, when pandal-hopping and seeking darshan at Lalbaug Cha Raja were annual traditions. She has been bringing Bappa home for several years now.
“Bappa has always been very close to my heart. As children, we would visit different pandals, stand in queues, have prasad and do our darshan. For me, respecting all religions has always been important. At the end of the day, it is the Supreme Being that matters.” She doesn’t associate Bappa’s arrival with material wishes. “I never looked at it as Bappa coming home to fulfil a particular wish. I just feel a different kind of joy and happiness during those days. He has brought peace of mind, togetherness and positivity. Life has been very blissful, touch wood, and I genuinely feel Bappa has helped remove many obstacles.”
Prosperity is having your loved ones around: Arjun Bijlani
Arjun Bijlani has been bringing Bappa home for 22 years, making the festival an integral part of his family life. “It has become much more than a festival for me. It feels like bringing a family member home. The moment Bappa arrives, everything else takes a backseat. We sit together, do the aarti, have prasad and enjoy those moments as a family. I have seen many beautiful phases in my career and personal life, and through all of them, Bappa has been a constant.” He adds, “Prosperity is having your loved ones around, being able to do the work you love and having the strength to face whatever comes your way. Whatever more I achieve is a bonus.”
He has given me the strength to face whatever life has brought my way: Kajal Pisal
Kajal Pisal has been bringing Bappa home since 2010, making this her 15th year of the tradition. “Bringing Bappa home has truly been a blessing. My relatives, cousins, friends and loved ones come together to seek his blessings,” she says. She credits Bappa with giving her strength through different phases of life. “We know Bappa as Vighnaharta, and I have always had faith in him. He has given me the strength to face whatever life has brought my way. We go through ups and downs, but to deal with them, one needs strength.” She adds, “He brings peace and happiness, and having my loved ones around me is the biggest prosperity Bappa has blessed me with.”
I’ve felt more prosperity — not just in success, but in happiness, peace, and the people around me: Ashnoor Kaur
This is my third year bringing Bappa home, and it’s very special. Raised in Mumbai and working in an industry that deeply worships Bappa, I feel a natural sense of devotion. We had three beautiful days filled with modaks, guests, fun and positivity. Since Bappa started coming home, I’ve felt more prosperity — not just in success, but in happiness, peace, ambition and the people around me. They say increasing Bappa’s murti each year brings greater prosperity, and for me, it truly feels magical.
Bappa brings good health and positivity to our family: Aditya Deshmukh
For Aditya Deshmukh, Ganeshotsav is a 26-year-old family tradition. “It’s been 26 years since we started bringing Bappa home in 2000. Our entire family and friends come together to celebrate.” He sees the festival as a time of faith, togetherness and hope. “Ganpati has always been a symbol of prosperity for us, and I have seen positive changes in my father’s career, my own journey and my mother’s health after Bappa comes home. I believe he takes away all the negativity and leaves behind positive energy. For me, Ganpati is about faith, happiness, prosperity and most importantly, bringing the family together.”
I am everything today because of Bappa: Shiv Thakare
For Shiv Thakare, Bappa has been a part of his life since birth. “We have been bringing Bappa home since I was born. We keep him for 10 days, and even that feels like too little. We do his seva and celebrate. He has given me the name and the life I have.” Shiv says seeking Bappa’s blessings has become an important part of his journey. “I always visit Siddhivinayak before any project. From giving us a big house to helping me navigate this profession, he brings positivity into our home. I am everything today because of Bappa.”
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