Television actor Mohit Malhotra, widely recognised for his roles in Bade Achhe Lagte Hain, Sasural Genda Phool, Jamai Raja, Naagin 5, and Bhagya Lakshmi, has opened up about what Ganesh Chaturthi truly means to him — describing Ganpati Bappa as a symbol of renewal, gratitude, and the quiet courage to begin again.

A Personal Faith, Not a Grand Ritual

For Malhotra, the festival is rooted in intention rather than elaborate ceremony. 'For me, Bappa has always represented faith, positivity and the ability to begin again. There is something very comforting about the idea of starting something new with a clear mind and trusting that the path will unfold. I also associate Bappa with being grounded,' the actor said.

He is candid that his Ganpati pooja does not follow a lavish script. 'For me, it's more about making sure I spend some quiet time with Bappa, offer my prayers and start the festival with a positive mindset. I think sometimes we get caught up in doing everything perfectly — the decorations, the celebrations, the festivities,' he noted. What matters most, he added, is 'simply taking a moment to be grateful and asking for the strength to keep moving forward.'

What the Festival Atmosphere Means to Him

Beyond personal prayer, Malhotra is drawn to the collective warmth that Ganesh Chaturthi generates across Mumbai and beyond. 'There is so much warmth, music, people coming together and this sense of celebration everywhere you go,' he said. He also singled out the festival's most beloved offering: 'Modaks are impossible to say no to,' he admitted with candour.

The actor noted that the festival has a grounding effect on him regardless of how much life evolves. 'No matter how much life changes around you, there are certain things that bring you back to yourself. Ganesh Chaturthi has that feeling for me — it brings people together, creates such positive energy and somehow makes you pause for a moment and just be grateful,' he said.

The Emotion of Visarjan

It is the visarjan — the immersion that marks Bappa's departure — that Malhotra describes with the most tenderness. 'There is something emotional about watching Bappa leave, knowing that the whole celebration is temporary but the feeling stays with you,' he said. For him, that bittersweet closing moment encapsulates the festival's deepest lesson. 'You learn to celebrate the arrival, but also learn to let go,' he concluded.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: The Wider Context

Ganesh Chaturthi, the ten-day festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha, is among India's most widely observed festivals, drawing millions of devotees across Maharashtra and the rest of the country. Celebrities and public figures sharing their personal traditions during the festival have become a notable part of how contemporary Indian culture engages with religious observance — blending devotion with reflection.