Television actor Naman Shaw has reflected on how his understanding of Karva Chauth evolved dramatically after he left Kolkata and relocated to Mumbai — a journey that took him from celluloid impressions of the festival to living it firsthand through North Indian friends and, eventually, his own marriage.

A Festival He Never Grew Up With

Shaw revealed that Karva Chauth was not a widely observed tradition during his childhood in Kolkata. His earliest exposure to the festival came almost entirely through Hindi films, where it featured as a romantic centrepiece. It was only after he moved to Mumbai and built friendships with people from North India, particularly Punjabis, that he witnessed the celebrations up close and developed a genuine appreciation for the occasion.

On Screen Versus Real Life

As a veteran of popular television serials, Shaw had enacted Karva Chauth sequences multiple times before ever celebrating the festival personally. Speaking about the shift that came after marriage, he said, 'As an actor, I had performed Karva Chauth scenes on television many times, but celebrating it in real life after getting married was a completely different experience.'

His perspective on the festival's deeper meaning is clear. 'I think festivals like Karva Chauth are beautiful because they celebrate love, commitment, and the little things that keep a relationship strong. For me, a relationship is not just about grand gestures; it's about being there for each other, understanding each other, and standing by each other through every phase of life,' he said. He also welcomed how the tradition has modernised: 'I also love how traditions evolve with time. Today, it's increasingly about mutual love and respect, where both partners celebrate their bond in their own way.'

Social Media and the Changing Face of Celebration

Shaw did not shy away from noting a tension in contemporary festivities. 'I feel Karva Chauth was earlier more personal and family-oriented. It was about faith, love, and spending that special time together. Today, with social media, I sometimes feel the focus has shifted more towards dressing up, clicking pictures, and showcasing the celebration to the world,' he observed.

Expressing a clear preference for simplicity, he added, 'I personally feel the beauty of any festival lies in what it means to you and your partner, rather than how it looks to others. I miss that simplicity, where the focus was more on feeling and expressing love for each other than on showing it to the world.'

Personal Life and Career

Naman Shaw is married to Nehaa Mishra, and the couple has a son named Kriivaan. On the professional front, he is recognised for his roles in several long-running Hindi television productions, including Kasamh Se, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kasautii Zindagii Kay, Kasturi, and Tashan-e-Ishq. He has also appeared as Adit Saxena in Mangal Lakshmi and as Anuj in Kairee – Rishta Khatta Meetha, among other projects.

Shaw's candid reflections arrive as Karva Chauth 2026 is observed across India, with the conversation around the festival's evolving identity — from intimate family ritual to social-media moment — growing louder each year.