Phuchka, mishti doi and rolls, my diet goes for a toss during Pujo: Swastika Dutta

Pujo is about dressing up, adda & binge eating
A warm autumn afternoon, sweet tidbits and a classic red and white attire is what defined Swastika Dutta’s shoot with CT ahead of Pujo. Talking about her festive wardrobe, and how she plans to indulge in mindful celebrations, the Alaap actress hopes Durga will bring with her this year, strength and wisdom.
‘Pujo was all about who visited how many pandals’

Swastika’s earliest memories of Pujo are filled with cherished moments with her family.“The four days of Pujo were equally split for pandal hopping across north and south Kolkata. We cousins used to compete, in terms of who visited the most number of pandals and bought the highest number of clothes,” she recalls.
"I hope this year, Maa Durga blesses my family with good health, and me with the strength to overcome obstacles"
"This Pujo, all of us must pray for a better society. We are still waiting for justice for the RG Kar doctor, all our voices must echo the same"
Decoding Swastika’s festive look
Ethnicwear is a must in Swastika’s Pujo lookbook. “Red-white is my favourite colour combo as white symbolises peace while red stands for fierceness. I believe Maa Durga is the embodiment of both these qualities. I chose this costume because it exudes the essence of festivities with its flowy, colourful and traditional touch.”
Meeting school friends is like an annual ritual
Saptamis are reserved for school friends, and all about good food, pandal hopping and adda for Swastika. “We have an all girls’ group since class 5, and previously we used to meet in presence of our mothers. Now, I hardly get any time to meet my friends, and they complain about it throughout the year. We have a ritual on Saptami: no diet and only unhealthy food. Rolls, momo, mishti doi, phuchka are a must,” says the Ki Kore Bolbo Tomaay actress.
"Pujo brings with it a sense of new beginning, and even though I don’t believe in New Year resolutions, I make one during Pujo every year"
Pics: Tathagata Ghosh
Makeup and hair: Surojit Dutta
Styled by: Kiara Sen