MUMBAI: The lineup of festivals has begun as Janmashtami is here. It is one of the most popular festivals across the country, and people celebrate it much fanfare. 

Not just commoners but our popular TV stars too simply love this festival and recollect childhood memories of how they celebrated it. 

Zee TV's popular stars Abhishek Kapur, Nishal Malkani, Karan Jotwani, and Kanika Mann among others share some amazing memories with their fans. 

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Abhishek Kapur, who plays the role of Sameer in Kundali Bhagya, revealed, “Janmashtami has always been one of my favourite festivals. In fact, since my childhood, I’ve celebrated the festival and I’ve enjoyed every bit of it. Be it dressing up as Krishna or breaking the matki, I’ve done it all. I remember I’ve dressed up as Lord Krishna twice, once in my childhood and once for an advertisement. Actually, my parents, family, and friends also call me Kanhaiya because I’m surrounded by a lot of female friends. Anyway, coming back to Janmashtami, it’s a wonderful feeling to celebrate it as I love this festival. Jai Shri Krishna to all.”

Kumkum Bhagya's Mugdha Chapekar aka Prachi mentioned, “I genuinely enjoy celebrating Janmashtami. It is a very special festival for me. In fact, I’ve played the role of Radha for a beautiful dance sequence in one of my earlier shows as well. Apart from celebrating the festival and making sweets, playing Radha for a special episode was one of my most special memories of Janmashtami too. I also wish happy birthday to my co-star Krishna Kaul every year and I am looking forward to wishing him and pulling his leg once again this year.”

Karan Jotwani aka Neil of Qurbaan Hua said, “I consider Janmashthami to be an extremely sacred festival. I have a lot of memories associated with Janmasthami. One of the highlights of the year for me, when I was young, had to be dressing up as Lord Krishna on this day. I remember one time while climbing the pyramid to get the matki, I took a terrible fall. But it was all in the spirit of fun and festivities. I participate at the 'Matki Todo' tradition every year and I try my best to climb successfully. But as I grew older and heavier, the team couldn't keep up with lifting me very well. Nowadays, mostly I'm at the bottom of the pyramid. But I still celebrate and participate in the fun and frolic of this festival. These days, religion and customs are also changing and are more gender equal. Now, girls too participate and take the 'Matki Todo' tradition ahead, and I must say they give the boys tough competition. Later, all of us savour the snacks and sweets made especially for Janmashthami, followed by a grand Janmashthami special lunch. I am ever so pumped and excited around this time of the year and celebrate Janmashthami with full power."

Kanika Mann, who plays the role of Guddan in Guddan Tumse Na Ho Payega, revealed, “As a kid, Janmashtami was a big festival, and on this day, back at home in Panipat, all the temples would be decorated and lit with diyas. As a family, we would step out and visit each of these temples to seek blessings and see all the different decorations each temple would put up. A mela would also be organized, and me and my siblings would always be excited to buy toys from there. We would add it to our collection, and before the next Janmashtami, we would discuss which toy we must buy next. Sometimes, I would also dress up as Radha to visit the neighbourhood temples. While we might not be able to have the same celebration this time due to the lockdown precautions, we are looking forward to having an aarti on set and maybe indulge in a few delicious sweets."

Nishant Singh Malkani aka Akshat mentioned, “Janmashtami always reminds me of the time when I used to dress up as Krishna for school plays. Since the festival comes during the monsoon season, the context of our play was in and around Krishna protecting the small houses and nature from the rains. That’s the fondest memory I have of this festival. Apart from that, as a family, we would visit different temples on this day to see their décor around Krishna’s swing. The celebrations this time are going to definitely be a little mellow and mostly on our set. Our track in Guddan Tumse Na Ho Payega has a very fascinating twist around Guddan and her child. So, while we are shooting for that, we would have our own little festive fun.”

Here's wishing everyone a very Happy Janmashtami!

Stay tuned to TellyChakkar for all the latest updates. 

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