Akshaya Tritiya 2023: Today would be a day to do good deeds and be kinder to one another, says Saiee Manjrekar

Despite being the daughter of actors Mahesh Manjrekar and Medha Manjrekar, Saiee Manjrekar made her mark in showbiz all on her own merit. After having made her acting debut with ‘Dabangg 3’, she went onto make her mark in south Indian films as well.

Hey Saiee! We want to know what does ‘Akshaya Tritiya’ mean to you?
‘Akshaya Tritiya’, in our household has always meant celebration. The day starts off with a small pooja in the house with our relatives. We buy gold. And since it’s the mango season, which is everyone’s favorite, we will also have mango dishes like aamras to go along with puri bhaaji. We spend time with our family and enjoy this auspicious day.

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Since when did you start celebrating the festival?
I’ve been celebrating it since I was a child, ever since I can remember. Every year, this is the festival we look forward to in my family and all of us come together and spend time with each other.

What are your plans to celebrate ‘Akshay Trithiya’ this year?
Today would be a day to do good deeds and be kinder to one another. That is what the meaning of this day is. And I think that is how I would be fighting evil or warding off evil to celebrate this day. And I think all of us should try to do something nice for someone else today.

Of all these years of celebrating ‘Akshay Trithiya’, which year had been the most memorable for you and why?
The most memorable one for me I think was the one we spent last year. Last year was when we bought our new house. Last year, on this festival, we got Laxmi aka Ella … my cat into our home and she joined our family which was extremely special. We planned for her to enter our home on ‘Akshaya Tritiya’ and it is definitely the most memorable one.

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Do you think that, over the years the spirit and concept of ‘Akshay Trithiya’ has changed?
I think over the years the spirit and concept of everything in its core remains the same. But I feel like with changing times, we adapt to the celebration differently. Like maybe now we are able to wish people over the phone or through a sweet ‘WhatsApp gif’. But I think the essence of the celebration remains the same.

Do you buy gold in big quantities or just for namesake... only to participate in the traditional custom?
We buy gold to keep the tradition alive. We buy maybe a gram or two. We aren’t that fussy about it. But yes, we do get maybe one gram of gold on ‘Akshay Tritiya’ to honour the custom and keep the tradition alive.

Are you well versed with the traditional mantra during ‘Akshay Trithiya’? Will you be doing the pooja yourself for ‘Akshay Trithiya’ or are you planning to hire a pandit ji to do the same?
I am well versed with the Laxmi Mantra. For the pooja, a panditji comes home for the ritual practices. Our family, my brothers, sisters, uncles, dad, mom sit together for the pooja.

What’s going to be your dress code on the day of ‘Akshay Trithiya’?
My dress code is a nice simple salwar kameez or some Indian attire. Even towards the evening, I am wearing Indian attire. I do not change into party wear I’ll probably slip into pajamas later in the evening.

Can you name the three people in your life whom you consider ‘GOLD’?
My mom, my dad, and all my siblings and cousins. I cannot pick one of them. They are all just gold to me.

‘Akshay Trithiya’ almost coincides with the auspicious festival of Eid. What are your plans for your tummy? Are you going to have your tummy have its way through ‘Akshaya Tritiya’s sweets as well as Eid’s Sheer kurma and other delicacies? Or are you planning to eat everything in moderation as looking good and looking fit is the call of your profession?
This is one day I cannot restrict myself. I need to enjoy the sweet delicacies of this day. In the morning, I will indulge in the sweets that are at home and later in the evening I will definitely dig into some malpuas and sheer korma. It’s a beautiful thing that I get to celebrate both these auspicious days today that are so important. It awakens a sense of unity in the community. I can celebrate with my neighbours, friends and celebrate different cultures. Also, again I am really going to go all out and enjoy all the delicious food we are blessed with.

On a professional front, tell us as to what is keeping you busy these days?
I am super excited for my film ‘Kuch Khatta Ho Jaaye’. There is also ‘Auro Mein Kya Dum Tha’ will be done with the shoot soon. There's another film I’m waiting to start giving more info about. And my upcoming south movie, which is being directed by Boyapati Sreenu opposite Ram Pothineni, will resume shooting for the third schedule in two- three days. Thatr's why I am incredibly excited for that too.