Have you ever noticed how festivals feel completely different when you celebrate them back home versus anywhere else? Bollywood actor Shubhangi Atre, who plays the beloved character Anita Vibhuti Narayan Mishra in a popular Indian sitcom, recently opened up about exactly this feeling — the magic of celebrating Holi in her hometown Bhopal.
The actress, who spends most of her year shooting in Mumbai, looks forward to returning to the Madhya Pradesh capital every year for the festival of colours. For her, it’s not just about playing with colours or making gujhiya — it’s about reconnecting with her roots and the people who shaped her growing up.
The Pull of Hometown Celebrations
Bhopal’s Holi is special because it carries memories layered over decades. The city, known for its lakes and cultural richness, celebrates the festival with a warmth that’s hard to replicate elsewhere. Shubhangi has spoken about how the festival in her hometown brings back childhood moments — playing with friends from school, the aroma of festive food wafting through old neighbourhoods, and the genuine affection from extended family and neighbours.
This isn’t unique to Shubhangi, of course. Thousands of Indians working in metros like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore speak about this exact phenomenon every year. The energy of celebrating Holi surrounded by people who’ve known you since childhood simply hits different.
Nostalgia Meets Tradition
What makes hometown Holi celebrations stand out for many Indians is the blend of nostalgia and unbroken tradition. In cities like Bhopal, Holi celebrations often follow rhythms passed down through families — the same recipes, the same time-honoured rituals, sometimes even the same group of people gathering year after year.
For actors and professionals who travel constantly for work, these annual returns become anchors to identity. Shubhangi’s openness about cherishing her Bhopal Holi reminds us that no matter how successful we become or how far we travel, the pull of home during festivals never really weakens.
The actress’s reflection also highlights something broader about Indian culture — our festivals are intrinsically tied to geography and community. Holi in Bhopal means specific things to its people, shaped by the city’s history, its people, and its particular way of celebrating.
As we head into Holi season, many of us will face the choice between celebrating in our current cities or making the trip home. Shubhangi’s candid admission that hometown Holi feels completely different validates what millions of Indians feel quietly each year — there’s irreplaceable value in returning to where we come from, at least for the festivals.