Actor Hrishikesh Pandey says that he loves playing Holi. He adds that he loves to use both colours and water.
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Water balloons are not preferred these days. Talking about the same, he says, “I remember playing with water balloons that could hurt and injure people. When we were small, if our parents were around to guide us, it was always better. But if they weren’t, we sometimes did stupid things and went a bit overboard. I remember the gloves we used to fill with water, they became so heavy, sometimes up to 10 or 15 litres and we threw them from the 7th or 8th floor when we were very young. We realized soon enough that it was a really bad and dangerous idea. Even a small water balloon can injure someone, so I believe we should always prioritise safety and ensure whatever we do is filled with love and affection, not aggression or roughness.”
Sharing what he loves to binge on this day, he says, “When it comes to food and drinks, yes, I’m quite particular. First of all, I don’t drink, no smoking, no alcohol, and no bhang either. I’ve never tried it and don’t want to. Maybe it’s a personal block, or maybe I just don’t feel the need. I’m always high on life! I enjoy Holi with healthy food, so even when I attend gatherings, I stick to eating simple, dry snacks whether it’s vegetarian or non-vegetarian, avoiding anything too heavy or oily.”
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As for clothes, he says, “As for clothing, I always prefer white because it brings out the colors beautifully. When the colours splash on white, you can see every vibrant hue clearly. If you wear black or darker shades, the effect just isn’t the same. Sometimes we do wear different colors, but white remains my first choice for Holi.”
He adds, “For skin protection, I take it seriously. I apply a generous amount of oil and sunblock, making sure my hair is properly oiled too. This is exactly why I avoid rough Holi because harsh colours and rough play can damage your skin. I remember one time when we were shooting outdoors and playing Holi in the sun. I rubbed my skin too hard, and the irritation led to a reaction that lasted for almost six or seven months. I had to visit the doctor repeatedly, and I never wanted to go through that again. So now I only play in decent places where people use organic colours and clean water.”
Sharing his best memories of the festival, he says, “My memories of Holi have always been special. In childhood, living in army colonies meant visiting each other’s families and friends’ houses, and this would go on until the evening. There was so much food, malpua, gujiyas, and so many traditional treats. Those were the days! Now, even if we try to avoid too much celebration, those memories still stay with us. We had a huge community back then, and the joy of visiting each other’s homes and playing with friends was unmatched. I had stopped playing Holi for a long time, but once we started having get-togethers with friends again, I began enjoying it all over again.”
