From family rituals to festive favourites: Sony SAB stars share their special Dussehra traditions

Dussehra is a festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil, bringing families together through cherished traditions, festive rituals and moments of togetherness. While every household has its own way of celebrating the occasion, it is often the little customs passed down through generations that make the festival special. This Dussehra, Sony SAB artists Gulki Joshi, Toral Rasputra, Jiten Lalwani, Mukul Harish and Akshaya Hindalkar share glimpses of their family celebrations, reflecting on the traditions, memories and personal rituals that make the festival meaningful to them.

Toral Rasputra, who plays Kunti in Hastinapur Ke Veer, shares, “A Dussehra tradition I find meaningful is performing a small puja at home and seeking the blessings of our elders. For me, it is a way of staying connected to our roots and remembering the values we have grown up with. The festival’s message of good triumphing over evil is especially relevant because it reminds us that doing the right thing takes courage and conviction. These are values we must continue to pass on through generations.” 
Jiten Lalwani, who plays Dronacharya in Hastinapur Ke Veer, shared, “Dussehra always takes me back to my childhood in Kanpur, especially the excitement of going to Naveen Market to watch the grand Ravan Dahan. My uncle had a shop there, so we would watch the entire spectacle, including the aatishbazi and the burning of Ravana’s effigy, from the terrace of his building. It was an experience that felt truly magical and those memories have stayed with me over the years. While Dussehra celebrations in Mumbai feel quite different, I still fondly remember those childhood festivities. For me, festivals are closely tied to the memories we create with our families and the places we grow up in, which is what makes them so special.”
Gulki Joshi, who plays Dr Srishty in Yaadein, says, “For me, Dussehra is about the little traditions that bring the family together. One custom I particularly enjoy is coming together for a special family meal after the puja. It gives everyone a chance to slow down, catch up, and spend time with each other despite our busy schedules. I think these simple moments are what make festivals memorable. Dussehra also reminds us to let go of negativity and approach life with a fresh, positive outlook.”

Mukul Harish, who plays Tiger in Pushpa Impossible, shares, “Dussehra has always been a lovely mix of traditions, family time and good food! One of my favourite parts of the day is starting the celebrations with delicious fafda-jalebi. We also perform puja for our vehicles, seeking blessings for safety, prosperity and good fortune in the year ahead. For me, the festival is a reminder that no matter how challenging things may get, good will always prevail over evil. Ultimately, it is these little traditions, the festive treats and the time spent with family that make Dussehra so special.” 

Akshaya Hindalkar, who plays Rashi in Pushpa Impossible, shares, “Being Maharashtrian, one of my favourite Dussehra traditions is exchanging Apta leaves as a symbol of gold, with everyone wishing each other, ‘Sona ghya, sonyasarkhe raha!’. It’s such a lovely tradition that brings people together. And of course, no festival is complete without good food and enjoying festive delicacies with family. As we grow older and get caught up with work, we realise how special these moments are. I feel the best part of any tradition is the memories attached to it and the people we get to share it with.”