Daisy Shah on Ganesh Chaturthi: 'Bappa is the same, but the feelings are new'
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Actress Daisy Shah marks Ganesh Chaturthi with quiet devotion at home, saying the festival delivers a renewed surge of happiness and positivity every year, with Lord Ganesha's arrival transforming the atmosphere of her household entirely.
A Festival of New Feelings
Speaking about her Ganpati celebrations, Daisy described the experience as something that defies routine despite its annual recurrence. 'Bappa is the same; we are the same. It's just that the feelings are new. There is new happiness. And whenever Bappa comes home, we feel that there is a different vibe going on in the house. The atmosphere is different. Everything starts to feel good,' she said.
The actress revealed that the Ganpati idol stays at her residence for only one and a half days — a tradition observed in many Gujarati households that opts for the shorter Dhayd Dinache celebration over the full ten-day festival.
Homemade Prasad at the Heart of Tradition
Daisy shared that her family prepares a traditional Gujarati ladoo made from wheat flour and jaggery as the offering for Bappa every year. 'We make it every year for Bappa. And because it is only for one and a half days, we make sure that all the devotees who come to our house, they get the same homemade prasad that we make for Baba,' she said.
The emphasis on homemade prasad, she noted, carries added significance in the age of social media, where the intimacy of personal devotional practices often stands in contrast to more public displays of celebration.
Spirituality as a Shield Against Online Negativity
Asked whether her spiritual outlook helps her navigate the hostility that can accompany fame on social media, Daisy was candid. 'It is very important to be spiritual. If nothing else, your thought process, your thinking, your perspective matters. If someone trolls you, you can shut him down by ignoring him,' she said.
She added that when a response is necessary, clarity and confidence are the best tools: 'And if you want to retaliate, you can just give your point of view and tell them whether you are right or wrong.'
Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 and Daisy's Career
Ganesh Chaturthi began on 14 September, marking the start of the ten-day festival dedicated to Lord Ganesha across Maharashtra and beyond. Festivities will conclude with Anant Chaturdashi, when idols are ceremonially immersed.
On the professional front, Daisy was most recently seen in the show 'Alliance'. She made her acting debut with the 2011 Kannada film Bhadra and gained wider recognition opposite Salman Khan in the 2014 Hindi film Jai Ho. She has since maintained a presence in both films and streaming content.