How Bollywood actresses without brothers celebrate Rakhi
Mumbai, Aug 9 (IANS) Bollywood actresses Bipasha Basu, Shilpa Shetty and Lara Dutta don't have brothers of their own. But on Raksha Bandhan they tie the rakhi thread on cousins and friends who are like family to them to celebrate the bond between brothers and sisters.
Bipasha Basu: "Though I've no brother of my own, I've a lot of cousins. But they all live far away. So I could never feel like a true sister on Raksha Bandhan. The only person I tie a rakhi to is Venky, John (Abraham)'s makeup man every year for the last four years. He's my only brother at the moment."
Shilpa Shetty: "For many years now I've made Ajay Virmani (Akshay Kumar's best friend in Canada) my rakhi brother. And though my equation with those around him has changed, I continue to religiously send him a rakhi every year. This year is no different. Thank god for certain relationships that never change! The bhai-bahen rishta is one such.
"Otherwise do I miss a brother? No way! Shamita (Shetty) has always been a bit of a tomboy. And I don't think either of us sisters has made our parents long for a son. I think Shamita and I are like daughters and son to our parents. Maybe Shamita and I think we should tie a rakhi on each other... Or, maybe, you'd like to be our rakhi brother?"
Malaika Arora: "No I don't have a brother. And I don't have a rakhi brother - don't feel the need for one. But when I was in school I had lots of rakhi brothers to prevent boys from troubling me."
Amrita Arora: "I have two rakhi brothers. My brother-in-law Arbaaz Khan and dress designer Vikram Phadnis. I love having them as my brothers, love the special feeling on Raksha Bandhan... that although there's no brother at home there are two just outside my immediate range of vision to keep an eye on me. Since I've never had my own brother I value my rakhi brothers even more. They make me feel protected and secure. Bhai God!"
Lara Dutta: "I don't really miss a brother in my life. I've two rakhi brothers, both in Bangalore. I've known them all my life. When I was younger having a rakhi brother meant beating up whoever acted smart with me... In that sense I never allowed myself to miss a real brother. Now Raksha Bandhan is a very special pure and unconditional bond with someone who isn't related by blood but is as good as family... Actually my two rakhi brothers are even better than family. They're part of my life not by heredity but because I want them. They're not around to boss over me all the time. But whenever I need them they're right there. So I'm enjoying the benefits of brotherhood without the bossiness."
Koena Mitra: "I don't have a brother but I've cousins. One of them in Kolkata is very close to me. So I send him a rakhi every year. I'd call it a very sweet celebration because Bengalis consider rakhi and bhai-dooj to be two days devoted to brothers. They promise to protect you for life. But my rakhi brother is only 14, so what protection could he provide me?? Ha, ha. In this case the sister, that's me, is there for his well-being."
Raima Sen: "My sister and I have gotten used to not having a brother around. So I don't really miss one. But yes, on occasions like Raksha Bandhan I do miss a brother. Fortunately Riya and I have lots of cousins. So we feel kinda compensated. Earlier we had a special cousin in Jaipur whom we sent a rakhi each year. He in turn sent us a gift each. It felt very special. I think Raksha Bandhan is very important. It strengthens your bonds with your brother, makes you feel blessed and protected. It's one of my favourite occasions."
Konkona Sen: "I never had a brother, so how do I miss one? It's very difficult to answer a question on something as complex as a sibling's absence from one's life."
Simi Garewal: "I miss not having a brother desperately. I tie a rakhi on my cousins Anil and Vivek Singh who are in Mumbai. Raksha Bandhan means an emotional renewal of our relationship. It's a reminder to them to love and protect me... just in case they forget!"
