Aarti Bhagat Shares: 'Lohri and Makar Sankranti Are Close to My Heart'

Aarti Bhagat, who is seen as Manjiri in Jamai No. 1, which is produced by Prateek Sharma and Parth Shah under their banner Studio LSD, is from Jammu and says Lohri and Makar Sankranti are very important to her. 

She said, “As a Dogra from Jammu, Lohri and Makar Sankranti hold deep meaning for me. I have cherished memories of celebrating Lohri every year.” “In Jammu, we celebrate Lohri by preparing a special dish of rice cooked with dry fruits and jaggery. This dish is first offered to Lohri before we enjoy it as a family. We sing folk songs, play recorded tapes, and dance together,” she added. This year she will be celebrating the festival in Mumbai, and she is working. “Even though I’ll miss being home, my family’s blessings are always with me. I plan to celebrate with my co-actors and friends,” she said. 

Though she is not a fan of flying kites, she loves watching the colorful sky. She said, “I’ve tried flying kites only once when I was 15. I ended up cutting my finger, but watching the colorful sky filled with kites was magical. While I’m not great at it, the festive energy and the experience are unforgettable.” 

Aarti enjoys eating rice dishes with dry fruits and jaggery on Lohri and shared that it’s a family tradition. She added, “On Makar Sankranti, maa ki dal ki khichdi served with ghee or dahi is my go-to comfort food. Both dishes are simple yet carry so much warmth and nostalgia for me.” 

Any wishes for the festival? “I wish for health, happiness, and prosperity for everyone. May the warmth of Lohri and the goodness of Makar Sankranti bring joy and togetherness to all,” she ended.