Sony SAB artists share the memories and emotions that make Raksha Bandhan special

Raksha Bandhan is a celebration of the special bond between siblings, built on years of memories, love, laughter and the promise of always being there for each other. While traditions and celebrations may evolve with time, the emotions behind the festival remain unchanged. This Raksha Bandhan Sony SAB artists Toral Rasputra, Samridh Bawa, Iqbal Khan, Nitin Babu, Manish Wadhwa, and Muskaan Bamne share the stories and memories that make their sibling bonds truly special.

Iqbal Khan who essays the role of Dr Dev Mehta in Yaadein, shared, “My sisters have always been incredibly important to me and Raksha Bandhan brings back so many memories of that bond. One very special Rakhi tradition in my life comes from my school days. My theatre teacher, Mrs Aruna Ahluwalia had a daughter Kismet Ahluwalia who was my senior in school. She has been sending me a Rakhi for years now, and even though she lives in Hong Kong, it reaches me every year without fail and I have kept them all with me. It’s a beautiful tradition she has kept alive and I truly cherish the thought behind it.”

Toral Rasputra who essays the role of Kunti in Hastinapur Ke Veer, shared, “More than the Rakhi or the gift itself, I cherish the emotions attached to it. It may not have much material value, but it holds so many memories of childhood, when a simple thread on the wrist felt like a promise of love, care and always being there for each other.  Every gift my brother gave is very special to me. He gave me a necklace that I still wear. For me, it’s a reminder that the sibling bond only grows stronger with time.”

Samridh Bawa who essays the role of Ashwin in Pushpa Impossible, shared, “Since I stay in a different city my sisters make sure I never miss Raksha Bandhan and send me their Rakhis by mail. On the day, I usually ask one of my friends to tie it on my wrist, and my sisters make sure I treat them to lunch or dinner! Even though we celebrate from different cities, they always find a way to make the day feel special.”

Nitin Babu who essays the role of Chirag in Pushpa Impossible, shared, “For me a Rakhi is never just a thread or a gift, it carries years of memories, love and that unspoken promise of always being there for each other. I still cherish the little gifts and Rakhis from my siblings, especially the ones from childhood, because they take me back to a much simpler time. My sister has given me a really nice jacket, I love it. With time the gifts may become old or get replaced but the emotion behind them only becomes more valuable. That is what makes Raksha Bandhan so special, it is a reminder that no matter how much life changes or how far we go some bonds always remain home.”

Manish Wadhwa who essays the role of Bhishma Pitamah in Hastinapur Ke Veer, shared, “Raksha Bandhan has always been about the bond more than the ritual for me. Growing up my siblings and I would celebrate it with a lot of excitement, and those simple childhood memories are still very close to me. My sister once tied a handmade Rakhi and I still have it with me. Today even when life gets busy and we may not always be together that affection remains unchanged. Every year we have this ritual that I'm 'Gol Gappe Wala Bhaiya' and I make chaat for my sister and entire family. I think that is the beauty of having siblings, you can grow older but that comfort and connection never really changes.”

Muskaan Bamne who essays the role of Shanaya in Pushpa Impossible, shared, “I think the best part about having siblings is that they know you in a way no one else does. You can fight over the smallest things one minute and be there for each other the next. Raksha Bandhan always makes me think about those little moments, the teasing, the arguments and the memories we have grown up with. He gets me very cool stationary since I love painting, colorful pens, markers and highlighters. Even as we get older that equation stays the same and that is what makes the bond so special.”