Actress Divya Dutta has opened up about the traditional Punjabi spread her family prepares every Ganesh Chaturthi, offering a warm glimpse into the rituals and recipes that have defined the festival in her home for years. The Ludhiana-born actor, who celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 in Mumbai after bringing Bappa home, described a menu that blends North Indian comfort food with the festive sweetness of modak.

The Family Menu from Punjab

At the heart of the celebration, according to Dutta, is her mother's signature halwa — a recipe that has been passed down across generations. The spread also includes aloo puri and chana, dishes she describes as the cornerstone of their family's North Indian festive table. “I make Halwa in Punjab. My mother has been making it for a long time. And then Aloo Puri, Chana. This is our North menu of Punjab,” she said.

There is also a sweet twist: modak, the offering most closely associated with Lord Ganesh, holds a particularly dear place in the family because of her father’s fondness for it. “And then there is Modak, which my father likes a lot. And there are different sweets,” Dutta added. The detail underscores how the festival becomes a vehicle for family memory as much as devotion.

Faith as the Foundation of Festivity

Dutta reflected on the deeper meaning behind the celebrations, putting faith at the centre of any genuine festivity. “I think celebration cannot happen without faith. So, it is very important to have faith. Celebration happens by itself,” she said. For her, the festival is less about ritual and more about a living relationship with the divine.

The actress, known for acclaimed films such as ‘Veer-Zaara’ and ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’, spoke about how she sees Bappa in different forms — as a brother, a friend, or a deity — but always as a guiding presence. “There is always something for which you have to hold God’s hand. And he is with you. Your intent should be good. And he holds your hand very well,” she said.

Looking Back: Finding Meaning in Hindsight

Dutta also touched on how difficult phases of life often make sense only in retrospect, crediting her faith for helping her navigate them. “When you look back, you always feel that whatever happened was done by Bappa. You don’t feel it at that time. You don’t even understand it at that time,” she reflected. It is a sentiment that resonates widely during a festival centred on new beginnings.

Recent Work and Gratitude

On the professional front, Dutta expressed gratitude for her recent projects, naming ‘Chiraiya’ and ‘Last Man in Tower’ as blessings she attributes to Bappa’s grace. The actress, who has built a reputation for nuanced supporting roles across Hindi cinema, described the work as gifts she feels thankful to have received. As the festival concludes, the mood in her household, she suggested, is one of quiet gratitude and continuity.