Jagadhatri actress Sonakshi Batra on embracing Maharashtrian wedding traditions
Synopsis
Playing a Maharashtrian bride on 'Jagadhatri' turned into a genuine cultural immersion for actress Sonakshi Batra — from understanding the mundavalya's emotional significance for the first time to being surprised by fans with a traditional Kelvan. It's a reminder that Indian daily soaps, for all their dramatic licence, can still serve as a portal into living traditions.
Key Takeaways
Sonakshi Batra plays the lead in Zee TV 's 'Jagadhatri' , currently airing a wedding track featuring the union of Shivaay and Jagadhatri .
Batra said portraying a Maharashtrian bride — including wearing the saree, jewellery, nose ring, chandrakor, and mundavalya — deepened her connection to the character.
She experienced the mundavalya 's cultural and emotional significance for the first time while shooting the show, despite having seen it at friends' weddings before.
Fans organised a traditional Kelvan (pre-wedding feast) for her on set, which she described as “incredibly emotional and unforgettable.” The actress noted that time constraints prevent all rituals from being shown on screen, but she was able to experience many in real life during the shoot.
Sonakshi Batra, who plays the lead role in the Zee TV serial 'Jagadhatri', has spoken about what it meant to portray a Maharashtrian bride on screen — describing the experience as emotionally enriching and culturally revelatory. The actress's comments come as the show's much-anticipated wedding track, featuring the union of Shivaay and Jagadhatri, continues to draw viewer attention.
Stepping Into Maharashtrian Traditions
Batra said the role gave her an unusually close look at the customs and significance behind Maharashtrian wedding rituals. “I am thoroughly enjoying this wedding track in the show. Through this journey, I have had the opportunity to experience Maharashtrian culture, wedding traditions, and the beautiful meaning behind every ritual from very close,” she said.
The actress noted that every element of her bridal look — “the saree, jewellery, nose ring, chandrakor, and mundavalya” — deepened her connection to the character. She added that while she had seen the mundavalya at friends' weddings before, it was only during the shoot that she truly grasped its cultural and emotional weight.
A Kelvan Surprise from Fans
One moment stood out above the rest. “One of the most touching moments for me was when my fans surprised me with a traditional Kelvan. It was an incredibly emotional and unforgettable experience,” Batra said. The Kelvan — a traditional pre-wedding feast in Maharashtrian culture — is typically organised by the bride's family, making the fan gesture particularly meaningful.
She also acknowledged that time constraints on television prevent every ritual from being shown on screen, but said she was “fortunate enough to experience them in real life.”
What Television Offers Actors
Batra reflected on the broader value of playing culturally specific roles on Indian television. “What I love about television shows is that they give us the opportunity to explore and appreciate different cultures, traditions, and customs so closely. Through this role, I got to witness the beauty of Maharashtrian culture, and it has only deepened my respect for its rich traditions,” she said.
The sentiment underlines a recurring strength of Indian daily soaps — their ability to function as cultural documents, even within the constraints of primetime storytelling.
About the Show
'Jagadhatri' airs daily on Zee TV. The ongoing wedding track has been one of the show's most-watched stretches, with the Shivaay-Jagadhatri wedding generating considerable buzz among the show's fanbase. As the track progresses, the focus on authentic Maharashtrian wedding elements appears to have resonated both with audiences and the cast.
Point of View
Even within its melodramatic grammar, can function as a vehicle for cultural transmission. The detail that she understood the mundavalya's significance only through the shoot — not through prior social exposure — points to how surface familiarity with traditions differs from lived understanding. Whether 'Jagadhatri' uses that authenticity to sustain ratings beyond the wedding arc will be the real test; Indian soaps have a habit of burning through cultural capital quickly once the ceremonial spectacle fades.
NationPress
9 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sonakshi Batra and what show is she in?
Sonakshi Batra is the lead actress of the Zee TV daily serial 'Jagadhatri', where she plays the title character. The show currently features a wedding track centred on the union of Shivaay and Jagadhatri.
What Maharashtrian wedding traditions are featured in 'Jagadhatri'?
The show's wedding track incorporates several Maharashtrian bridal elements including the traditional saree, jewellery, nose ring, chandrakor, and mundavalya. Batra has said that experiencing these rituals up close gave her a deeper understanding of their cultural and emotional significance.
What is a mundavalya and why did it stand out to Sonakshi Batra?
The mundavalya is a traditional ornament worn by Maharashtrian brides, typically strings of flowers or beads worn around the forehead. Batra said that while she had seen it at friends' weddings, it was only while shooting 'Jagadhatri' that she truly understood its cultural and emotional meaning.
What is a Kelvan and why was it significant for Sonakshi Batra?
A Kelvan is a traditional Maharashtrian pre-wedding feast, usually hosted by the bride's family. Batra's fans organised one for her on set, which she described as one of the most touching and unforgettable moments of the shoot.
Where does 'Jagadhatri' air and when?
'Jagadhatri' airs every day on Zee TV. The ongoing wedding track has been among the show's most-watched stretches since its launch.
