Subhash K Jha shares special messages and heartfelt sibling sentiments as the stars of Filmi India celebrate Raksha Bandhan.
Varun Tej: “Raksha Bandhan has always been a special festival for us, my sister, Niharika. It’s a day where we come together, celebrate, follow the traditions, and she ties me a rakhi. I’m usually pulling her leg about the gift through the years. But beyond the festival, what really matters is just being there for each other through everything… That’s what our relationship has always been about.”
Adivi Sesh: “My sister is my best friend. She lives in Florida. I miss her every moment, especially during Raksha Bandhan. Her newborn son Keshav has been the greatest gift to our family. I got the honour to be able to name him and This Raksha Bandhan, my promise is to always protect him.”
Nandini Reddy: My brother Uttam and me are just two years apart . So we grew up with common friends , hung out together, and partied together. He was my first friend, and we are still very close. He is in the food industry and runs a successful chain of restaurants under the name Rayalaseema Ruchulu. He loves watching movies but tends to enjoy the offbeat movies more. We confer with each other a lot over many things. He’s the one who told me not to get too emotional over people I work with. He said, remember, you are like a station, and they are passing trains. That has been the best piece of advice I have received. This Raksha Bandhan, he has gifted me a new car to celebrate the success of my film.”
Tusshar Kapoor: “This Raksha Bandhan, I wish my sister Ektaa all the protection in the universe! She is a powerhouse of talent, success, and determination, a rarity in the man’s world of movies and entertainment! I hope and pray that she continues to inspire the younger generation and women especially, with the fact that persistence and genuine talent can and will surpass all adversity! I hope she continues to be such a trailblazer, and I wish all the other sisters too have a similar relationship with all that they desire and strive to achieve in their lives! Happy RakshaBandhan.”
Vedang Raina: “She’s 5 years younger than me, and I’m vicariously living college life through her right now. She’s very dear to me. No real plans except, of course, tying the Rakhi. I already got a gift for her though.”
“MUMBAI, INDIA – JULY 27: Indian Film maker Sanjay Leela Bansali with his sister Bela Bhansali Sehgal at Andheri on July 27 in Mumbai, India. (Photo by Satish Bate/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)”
Bela Sehgal: “I am very lucky to have a wonderful brother like Sanjay (Leela Bhansali). He is thoughtful, caring, and loving, understanding, and always concerned about my well-being. For Raksha Bandhan, I pray for his good health and the super-duper success of Love & War. The only gift that I want from him is that he should always continue to love me.”
Shabana Azmi: “My brother Baba is most precious to me. He is my son, my friend and guide. Raksha Bandhan is a festival I get most sentimental about. I make sure I am with Baba on this day. I think I missed being with my brother for Raksha Bandhan only 4-5times in my entire life. Baba is my most precious gift. I don’t need anything from him. He doesn’t allow anyone else to tie a raakhi on him. No mooh-boli bahens for my brother! I wouldn’t tolerate them. The festival I’m most sentimental about is Raksha Bandhan, and my pakav (annoying) brother doesn’t allow anybody to become his rakhi sister! He says, “I have only one sister, and she is the only one who will tie rakhi on me. On the rare occasion that I am not in town, the only one who is allowed to tie my rakhi on me is his daughter Meghna.”
Supriya Yarlagadda: “My brother Sumanth and I are as different as can be, and so we are each other’s best bouncing board. We were never close as kids, but now I would consider him not just a brother but one of my best friends. Truly blessed.”
Farhan Akhtar: “My sister Zoya and I could have been twins. I think we are emotionally twins. We don’t need a special day to celebrate our bond. But yes, Raksha Bandhan reminds me of how lucky I am to have Zoya as my sister. I wouldn’t exchange her for the world.”
