Sankranti is more than just a festival it’s a feeling rooted in memories, traditions, and togetherness. For celebrities juggling packed schedules, the festival offers a rare pause to reconnect with family, roots, and simpler joys. From festive food and kite flying to early-morning rituals and childhood nostalgia, actors Sundeep Kishan, Eesha Rebba, Rahul Sipligunj, and others open up about how they celebrate Sankranti and what makes it one of the most cherished times of the year.
Sundeep Kishan: Among all the festivals we celebrate, Sankranti has always been my absolute favourite. It’s that one time of the year when life truly slows down, and everyone comes together like one big family. The festive mornings, flying kites with friends, spending time with loved ones, and reliving childhood memories, it’s pure joy. And Sankranti is never complete without food: hot garelu, ariselu, traditional sweets, and home-cooked delicacies made with so much love. While cockfighting is a big part of the festival in many parts of Andhra Pradesh, that’s something I’ve only witnessed once.
Eesha Rebba: Sankranti feels like a beautiful reset for me every single year. No matter how busy life gets, this festival gently reminds me to pause and reconnect with my roots. From cooking together at home and bonding over delicious festive meals to flying kites with my niece and sharing unhurried, happy conversations with family these simple moments are what genuinely make Sankranti special for me. It’s a time filled with warmth, laughter, and togetherness. And of course, Sankranti also comes with its own little indulgence I happily treat it as a cheat day where I eat as much pulihora as I want, because that’s one dish I can never resist. My mom makes the best ariselu and bobbatlu; my mouth waters just thinking about them.
Rahul Sipligunj: This Sankranti is extremely special for me, as it’s my first after marriage, and I’m celebrating it with my wife, Harinya. What I love most about the festival is its vibe, the quiet charm of early mornings, rangoli adorning every doorstep, flying kites with friends, and elders sitting together, chatting away. It all feels pure, warm, and deeply rooted. At our home, Sankranti is nothing short of a festive sweet fiesta ariselu, sakinalu, pongali, garelu… and honestly, my mother makes the best of them. Being a true Hyderabadi boy, kite flying is my absolute favourite part of the festival. We buy kites from local gallis, pick the strongest manja, and plan full-on kite battles from the terrace and shout ‘Arerryyy kaatttt!’ at the top of your lungs.
Ananya Nagalla: Sankranti instantly takes me back to my village, where the atmosphere amid coconut groves, lush paddy fields, and winding canals feels nothing short of magical. The celebrations begin as early as 4 or 5 in the morning with Bhogi mantalu, followed by dressing up in ethnic wear and spending quality time with family. Since my family is vegetarian, the festival table is filled with a variety of traditional dishes, along with sweets like garelu and my absolute favourite, boondi laddoo.