Bhagya Lakshmi star Mohit Malhotra on Ganesh Chaturthi: 'Bappa teaches you to let go'
Synopsis
Mohit Malhotra, the face behind beloved TV roles in Bhagya Lakshmi and Jamai Raja, says Ganesh Chaturthi is less about elaborate ritual and more about a moment of honest gratitude — and that visarjan, with its built-in lesson of letting go, is the part that moves him most.
Key Takeaways
Mohit Malhotra , known for Bhagya Lakshmi , Naagin 5 , and Jamai Raja , shared his Ganesh Chaturthi traditions ahead of the 2026 festival.
The actor describes Bappa as a symbol of faith, positivity, and the ability to begin again .
Malhotra keeps his Ganpati pooja simple — prioritising quiet prayer and gratitude over elaborate decoration.
He says visarjan is the most emotionally resonant part of the festival, teaching devotees to 'celebrate the arrival, but also learn to let go.' The actor credits the festival's collective energy — music, warmth, and community — as what he loves most about the celebration.
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.
Point of View
Festival reflections have shifted from performative piety to something quieter and more introspective. In a media landscape saturated with celebrity Ganpati decor tours and guest-list announcements, his emphasis on stillness and letting go is a genuine departure. It also reflects a broader cultural conversation about what religious observance means to a generation navigating relentless change — where the value of a festival lies less in its spectacle and more in the permission it grants to pause.
NationPress
16 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Mohit Malhotra say about Ganesh Chaturthi 2026?
Mohit Malhotra said that Ganesh Chaturthi holds deep personal significance for him, describing Bappa as a symbol of faith, positivity, and the ability to begin again. He keeps his pooja simple, focused on quiet prayer and gratitude rather than elaborate rituals.
Which TV shows is Mohit Malhotra known for?
Mohit Malhotra is known for his work in popular Hindi television shows including Bade Achhe Lagte Hain, Sasural Genda Phool, Jamai Raja, Naagin 5, and Bhagya Lakshmi.
What does Mohit Malhotra love most about Ganesh Chaturthi?
The actor says he loves the overall atmosphere of the festival — the warmth, music, and sense of community it generates. He also mentioned that modaks are impossible to resist, but it is the collective positive energy that he cherishes most.
How does Mohit Malhotra feel about visarjan?
Malhotra describes visarjan as an emotionally powerful moment, noting that 'there is something emotional about watching Bappa leave.' He sees it as a reminder that celebration is temporary but the feeling it leaves behind endures — a lesson in letting go.
What is Mohit Malhotra's Ganpati pooja tradition?
Rather than grand ceremonies, Malhotra's tradition involves spending quiet time with Bappa, offering prayers, and starting the festival with a positive mindset. He says the most important part is simply being grateful and seeking strength to move forward.
