Shabiha Nur Khatoon
Stung by secret pangs of guilt at not being able to observe fast every day of the holy month of Ramzan, TV stars nevertheless are diehard devotees praying throughout the day and night for family and friends
The holy month of Ramadan will be over in a few days with the arrival of Eid. Eid marking the end of the holy month is one of the most auspicious festivals among Muslims celebrated worldwide including in India in a traditional manner. The spirit of this month is more about giving rather than taking.
On this auspicious day, some of our favourite TV stars along with millions across the globe will celebrate the festival. Orissa POST catches up with a clutch of Hindi TV stars to find out how they are observing Ramzan and gets them to divulge their Eid plans.
Aliraza Namdar is a television actor who is currently working for the serial ‘Bhaghyalakshmi’. “Allah the Almighty has made it obligatory for all grownups to observe the fast in the month of Ramzan, except the sick and those travelling. I try and observe fast on all days except the days I am unwell or travelling. I personally feel a cloud of mercy and grace engulfing me from the moment the moon is sighted till Eid day. Fasting cleanses your body and the soul provided it is observed the way Allah wants us to observe it. Mere refraining from eating and drinking is not ‘roza’; one has to refrain from sinning and not to indulge in acts Allah has prohibited. One of the reasons for fasting is to abolish the disparity between rich and poor. With fasting the rich realise the hunger and thirst the poor and the needy feel. It’s not at all difficult to fast while working because we have breaks in between,” says Aliraza.
“Eid is a very important day for a believer who has fasted the whole month and now is close to Allah because he has followed His commands by refraining from sins along with fasting. As a result he is an improved believer. We offer special prayers and supplications the night before Eid and also on Eid day. After offering ‘namaaz’ in the morning we return home and wish all family members. It is the kids who enjoy all day, as they get ‘eidi’ from elders in the form of cash or gifts. Friends and relatives visit us for lunch and dinner. Sheer Kurma and Biryani are must in the menu. I personally relish Sheer Kurma the whole day. I wear a nice kurta-pyjama designed by my wife; there is a festive atmosphere at home for at least two days. When I was a kid I used to get from Rs 10 to 100 as ‘eidi’ depending how near the relative was. I feel a little sad as the blessed month of mercy and grace is coming to an end,” he adds.
Aamir Ali who is currently working in the serial ‘Dilli Wali Thakur Gurls’ as Dylan Singh Shekhawat likes to wear Pathani and go to mosque to offer ‘namaaz’ and seek the blessings of Allah. “When I go back home, my mom treats me to all kinds of delicacies from sewaiyan which is my favourite dish to kebab and Biryani. My mother still gives me ‘eidi’. In our busy schedule due to which we don’t get time to meet our friends and close ones so Eid. I don’t fast for the entire month because my schedule is very demanding but I try to keep fast on as many days as possible,” says Aamir.
Adaa Khan well known for playing the negative role of Rajkumari Amrit in the show ‘Amrit Manthan’ says Ramazan is the holy month and fasting in this month helps inculcate self-control and discipline. “It’s a month of blessings and forgiveness. I have been keeping fast from the age of eight or nine and my mother makes sure that I and my brother are keeping our fast. During shooting it’s difficult but I try. Due to low BP I keep fast as much as possible. After 30 days of fasting and prayers all Muslims wait for Eid celebrations and so do I. We buy new clothes and celebrate with family and friends. When I was a kid there was a competition between me and my brother as to who had got more ‘eidi’ in terms of money and gifts. Festivals are always fun especially with your family and friends,” she says.
Anas Rashid currently acting in ‘Diya Aur Baati Hum’ and ‘Yodha Prithviraj Chauhan’ will celebrate Eid with family in his hometown Malerkotla, Punjab. “On the day of Eid I offer ‘namaaz’ at the Eidgah. Then we shake hands and embrace each other after the Eid Prayers. After coming back I relish delicious Sheer Kurma and give ‘eidi’ to younger ones. If you are with family and friends the festival fervour shoots up. I always reserve four to five days of holidays for Eid so that I can be at home with my family. On the sets it is quite difficult to keep fasts as you need to be calm and my Ammi always tells me that hard fasting is not good for health. I keep fast only on Fridays and other days if I am on leave,” says Anas.
For Hina Khan who plays the role of Akshara in ‘Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai’ Eid is special and Ramzan is the holy month of fasting and prayer. “But on the sets it’s not possible to keep fast so I manage to keep fasts only on Fridays,” she says.
Naved Jaffrey, better known as the host-cum-judge of the dance reality show Boogie Woogie, says he looks forward to Ramzan to seek blessings from the Almighty. “I feel fasting is the connection between you and Allah. I keep fasting for the entire month and I have got habituated to it. The preparations for Eid are special. In the morning I offer ‘namaaz’ at the Eidgah and wish everyone. Then I come back home to relish the delicious food specially prepared for that day,” says Naved.
Nissar Khan who plays the warrior Drona in Swastik productions’ ‘Mahabharat’ and also the investigative officer in the popular series ‘Crime Patrol’ seeks blessings from the Almighty and does ‘ibadat’ the entire month. “This time I will be celebrating Eid in Mumbai with my friends. Eid for me is offering ‘namaaz’ at the mosque in the morning, shaking hands and embracing each other after ‘namaaz’ and relishing the yummy Sheer Kurma. This time I have a special gift for my fans, as I am back in the popular series ‘Crime Patrol’ as the investigative officer,” he says.
Zarina Wahab is currently working in the serial ‘Zindagi Ek Bhanwar’ on DD National. “For me Eid is the day of celebrations with friends and family. The celebration starts when the male members go to the mosque to offer ‘namaaz’ in the morning. We ladies prepare delicious sheer Kurma and Biryani. Yes, I keep fast on the sets, although is quite difficult,” she says.
EQUAL FERVOUR
Non-Muslim actors who celebrate Eid with considerable enthusiasm also shared their experiences with Orissa POST…
Ashiesh Roy who has done many TV shows and acted in films says, “Ramzan is the holy month to seek blessings and mercy of the Almighty. Every year I try to keep four to five ‘rozas’ during the holy month. However, it is difficult to work while fasting because of our hectic schedules, but it’s all about will power. On our sets there are many spot guys who are Muslims and sometimes I sponsor an ‘iftar’ party for them. I along with my friends head to Md Ali road to enjoy the delicious delicacies till midnight when the final ‘namaaz’ of the day is read. Ramazan brings positive vibes. Like thousands of my Muslim fans I am also waiting to watch Bhajrangi Bhaijaan which will release on Eid,” he says.
Amit Behl currently seen in the thriller ‘Friends Conditions Apply’ has also worked in serials like ‘Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat’. He says, “We enjoy all the festivals with the same fervour. Eid is just like any other festival. Sometimes I keep six to seven fasts over the course of the month. It’s a great feeling to keep fast all the day and to join our crew members at the time of ‘iftar’. I am looking forward to Eid.”
Pankaj Berry who appeared in Mumbai Can Dance Saala and Chance Pe Dance says, “People in the entertainment industry celebrate Eid just like they celebrate Diwali. Not only I many of my non-Muslim friends fast along with me to give company to our Muslim friends as we consider them members of our family. People especially in the entertainment industry are a liberal lot, so we celebrate Eid and they celebrate Diwali with us. It’s one of the aspects of the industry that we’re all very proud about. I usually fast on the final few days every year.”