I’m not really a fan of playing Holi, whether it’s dry colors, water, or even just gulal: Indraxi Kanjilal

MUMBAI: Actress Indraxi Kanjilal, who plays Prathana in Pushpa Impossible, is someone who does not enjoy playing Holi. She explains her point of view and says, “I’m not really a fan of playing Holi, whether it’s dry colors, water, or even just gulal. I don’t like it because I don’t enjoy having colors on my skin. Every time I do, I end up having an allergic reaction. But yes, if I have to play Holi for a shoot, then I do it. After shooting, I make sure to clean my body properly and apply moisturizer to protect my skin. Even before playing, I apply moisturizer to minimize any effects on my skin. Also, because I have asthma, Holi triggers it, making things even more uncomfortable for me. I do enjoy watching others play Holi—I think it looks really cute. Unfortunately, the moment colors touch my skin, all I can think about is taking a bath and cleaning myself immediately.”

So, if you were a color, what do you think you would be? She says, “It would be a mix of blue and pink. Blue represents my calmness and composure. I can be very bubbly at times, but when a serious situation arises, I stay composed and don’t overthink or panic. Instead, I focus on handling the situation in the best possible way. Blue represents my composed nature. On the other hand, pink represents my playfulness and optimism. I am a very optimistic person and think a lot before making any decision. I always contemplate and reflect before taking action. Pink represents my fun and playful side. Blue and pink together create purple, so I guess I am a purple person because I’m a mix of both colors.”

Indraxi also shares her thoughts on playing with water balloons. She adds, “I absolutely dread water balloons! When I was really young, around eight or nine years old, kids used to play with water balloons, and I got hit by one. It hurt so much! I never liked them and would always shout at kids who threw them at me. I really appreciate the fact that water balloons are not as popular these days. It’s the right thing because throwing them can actually hurt someone badly. But if people are taking precautions and playing safely, then it’s their choice. Everyone has their own way of enjoying Holi, and I respect that.”

Sharing her childhood memories of Holi, Indraxi says, “When it comes to Holi, I don’t really have many fond memories. I was never allowed to play because of my allergies and skin reactions. Back then, no one used organic colors, so it was completely out of the picture for me. When I was around seven years old, I went to my nani’s house with my parents. That day, my mom, dad, and I went outside and played a little Holi with the neighborhood kids. It was a really sweet memory. However, things took a bad turn when suddenly, someone—I’m not sure who—threw a lot of red water at me. It got into my eyes and even my mouth, and I started crying.”

Indraxi, who plays Holi only occasionally, is extremely careful if she has to play Holi onscreen. On her precautions, she says, “Before playing Holi, just apply coconut oil or Vaseline all over your skin. This creates a protective layer, making it easier to wash off the colors later. After playing, wash your skin thoroughly and apply a good moisturizer that suits your skin type. You’ll see that your skin stays fine without any major issues. This is exactly what I do before any Holi shoot, and it really helps. For your hair, you can apply a little coconut oil beforehand. Then, after Holi, shampoo your hair properly to make sure no color particles or dust are left behind. After that, apply your usual serum or hair product, and you’re good to go!”

During Holi, drinking a glass of bhang is very common. So, has Indraxi ever tried it? On this, the Kolkata-born actress says, “One thing I’d love to try someday is bhang. I’ve never tried it in my life, but everyone who has—whether my friends, colleagues, or people on set—tells me it’s an amazing experience and that I would love it. And I’d make sure I have a free day afterward, just in case I need time to recover from the effects.”

Usually, we see people often choose white attire to play Holi, so what’s Indraxi’s preference of clothes during Holi? “During our childhood, all of us would wear clothes that we were never going to wear again, like really old clothes that were almost turning into rags, the kind you’d use as a cleaning cloth later. I think that’s one of my core memories of Holi. My mom would specifically find old clothes that I had stopped wearing, and she would make me wear them for Holi. Because, honestly, wearing white clothes for Holi is just silly! White is such a nice color, I love wearing white, so why would you ruin perfectly good clothes while playing Holi?”