As the festival of colours approaches, Bhumi Pednekar is revisiting the warm and playful Holi memories from her growing-up years in Mumbai. Known for staying connected to her roots, the actor recently reflected on how the festival was celebrated at home — a mix of family traditions, laughter, and vibrant chaos.
A Mumbai Childhood Filled With Colour and Chaos
Bhumi recalls waking up early on Holi mornings, long before the celebrations reached full swing. Buckets of water balloons would be prepared in advance, and the building courtyard would slowly turn into a lively arena of colours.
She fondly remembers playing alongside her sister and friends while her mother joined in from above. “My sister Samiksha and I would play with our friends from the building in Mumbai. My mother would fill buckets of water and pour it on us from the balcony,” she shared, describing the playful spirit that defined her childhood celebrations.
Celebrating Holi the Natural Way
Interestingly, Bhumi grew up celebrating Holi without artificial colours. Her family preferred a more natural approach.
“We weren’t allowed to use colour, so we played with rose petals and genda phool. And pichkaris, of course!” she said. The use of flowers instead of synthetic colours, she believes, made the festival feel more personal and heartfelt.
Even today, despite her demanding film schedule, Holi remains one of her favourite festivals. She now opts for organic colours and encourages her friends to prepare water-filled buckets or inflatable mini pools to keep the celebrations lively.
Skincare Rituals Before Stepping Out
Like many who celebrate Holi enthusiastically, Bhumi ensures she prepares her skin and hair in advance.
She follows a few protective steps before heading out: applying coconut oil generously, using nail polish to prevent staining, and wearing full-coverage foundation to shield the skin. According to her, these simple tricks help minimize colour damage while allowing her to enjoy the festivities freely.
Food: The Highlight of the Festival
For Bhumi, Holi isn’t complete without festive delicacies. She especially looks forward to indulging in karanjis, also known as gujiyas, a traditional sweet associated with the festival.
“The most exciting thing was and still is the food,” she shared, adding that the post-celebration feast remains a cherished part of the day.
More Than Just Celebration
Beyond colours and sweets, Bhumi views festivals as moments of reconnection. She believes occasions like Holi offer a pause from work and an opportunity to reconnect with loved ones and faith.
“Every festival is about spending time with family, disconnecting from work, praying and connecting with your faith and people you love,” she reflected.
Festive Fashion, Even If It Gets Messy
Despite knowing Holi celebrations can get chaotic, Bhumi admits she never compromises on style.
“Anybody who knows me knows my love for fashion. I’m that girl who dresses in white, with bangles and jhumkas. I know I’m going to get messy but I’m all for it,” she said with a laugh.
Upcoming Film Update
On the professional front, Bhumi also spoke about her upcoming film Adhoore Hum Adhoore Tum, where she stars opposite Imran Khan. She described him as a refreshing presence and noted that the film revisits the romantic-comedy genre in a more mature and evolved manner — a space she believes audiences will appreciate.
