Vardhaan Puri recalls sister's Raksha Bandhan gift: 'I cried in front of the family'
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Actor Vardhaan Puri, grandson of the late veteran actor Amrish Puri, has opened up about a deeply emotional Raksha Bandhan memory involving his elder sister, Dr Sachi Puri — a moment that moved him to tears in front of his entire family.
The Gift That Left Him in Tears
Vardhaan recalled how his sister had quietly saved money received at family functions in her piggy bank, using it to buy him a titanium tennis racket — an item he had desperately wanted after his previous one broke accidentally. 'I really wanted a tennis racket after the one I had bought accidentally broke,' he said. 'My sister had saved all the money she received at family functions in her piggy bank, and on Raksha Bandhan, she bought me this beautiful titanium racket, which cost a bomb back then. I remember crying in front of the family because I became so emotional. It was a very special Raksha Bandhan.'
A Bond Beyond Siblings
Vardhaan described his relationship with Dr Sachi Puri as one that transcends the usual sibling dynamic. 'My bond with her has always been that of a younger brother and, at the same time, a son. She has been my little mother. She has protected me, nurtured me and is one of the reasons I am the person I am today. She is my biggest cheerleader, and I can say that whenever she makes a prayer, she prays for me first,' he said.
He added that his affection for her only deepens with time. 'My love for her is unconditional, and that is never going to change. In fact, my love for her keeps growing day by day, and my respect for her keeps growing hour by hour.'
The Film He Would Dedicate to Her
Asked which film he would dedicate to his sister, Vardhaan picked Dil Dhadakne Do, citing the sibling bond portrayed by Priyanka Chopra and Ranveer Singh's characters. 'The bond their characters share is very cute and very much like my bond with my sister. I find it extremely relevant to how we love and respect each other. I would love to watch that movie with my sister and celebrate our beautifully loving bond,' he said.
What He Admires Most About Her
Vardhaan singled out his sister's composure as her most defining quality. 'She has such equanimity. She is incredibly balanced and knows how to maintain equilibrium. She beautifully combines maturity with childlike innocence. She is also extremely maternal, with a very strong maternal instinct, and I find that extremely endearing,' he said.
About Raksha Bandhan 2026
Raksha Bandhan, also known as Rakhi, falls on Friday, 28 August 2026 this year. Observed on the full moon — or Purnima — of the Hindu month of Shravana, the festival celebrates the bond of love, affection, and protection shared between siblings.