Exclusive! Navratri special: Vaani Kapoor: The beauty of Navratri is that we honour the feminine in many forms’

For Vaani Kapoor, Navratri is a celebration of tradition, family and the many facets of feminine strength. Having grown up in Delhi and spent a significant part of her life in Mumbai, the actor has experienced the festival in different ways. In an interaction with Bombay Times, Vaani reflects on her childhood memories of Navratri, the festival’s significance and why women empowerment must go beyond symbolic celebrations.‘Festivals have a lovely way of taking you back to being a child’Talking about her fond memories of the festival, the War actress says, “Growing up in Delhi, I think what I remember most is the vibe during this time of the year. The markets would be buzzing; there’d be Ramleelas happening, and you could feel the excitement building up to Dussehra. At home, I remember the ashtami celebrations, the halwa, puri, and chana, and all the little girls who’d come over for kanjak. As kids, we were more excited about the food and all the festivities than anything else. I think festivals have a lovely way of taking you back to being a child.”‘Mumbai has introduced me to an exuberant side of Navratri’Having experienced Navratri in two cities, Vaani believes each has its own charm. “In Delhi, at least growing up, I remember Navratri being more about the family rituals, the Ramleelas, and the excitement around Dussehra. Mumbai has this wonderful energy during Navratri, with garba, dandiya, music, and everyone coming together to celebrate. Delhi will always feel nostalgic to me because it’s home, whereas Mumbai has introduced me to a different, more exuberant side of Navratri,” she says.‘Empowerment is about the freedom to make your own choices’Navratri is a celebration of the feminine energy in the universe. For Vaani, the festival’s celebration of feminine strength also offers an opportunity to reflect on how women are treated beyond the festivities. “It’s beautiful that we celebrate goddesses and the different forms of feminine strength. But I also feel there’s a difference between celebrating women and truly valuing them in everyday life. So many women grow up being told to adjust, to compromise, to put everyone else’s needs before their own. And we often praise them for how much they can endure, without asking why they should have to endure so much in the first place. Their dreams, happiness, and their individuality matter just as much,” she says.She adds, “I believe that empowerment is about the freedom to make your own choices, to feel safe, to be financially independent, to pursue your ambitions, and to have a say in decisions that affect your own life. These are things every woman deserves, regardless of her background or circumstances. And I think real progress is when women no longer have to fight for things that should be theirs to begin with.”‘There’s something particularly special about seeing women across generations celebrating together’Beyond rituals, music and dressing up, the actress believes festivals create opportunities for women to connect and celebrate themselves. “Festivals have this lovely way of bringing people together, regardless of age or background. And there’s something particularly special about seeing women across generations celebrating together during Navratri, each bringing their own energy to the festivities. So much of our everyday lives revolves around responsibilities that we sometimes forget the importance of just having fun. And I think those moments when you feel part of something where you can simply enjoy yourself, can do more for your confidence than we realise,” she says, adding, “There’s something really comforting about coming together for traditions you’ve grown up with and the memories they bring back. And what I find beautiful about Navratri is that we honour the feminine in so many forms.”Get the latest Bollywood & Entertainment News, and more. Download the TOI app.Give your child the gift of confidence! Claim your exclusive TOI Masterclass spot today!