Uttarayan hai, toh kite toh fly karenge hi: Vatsal Sheth

Vatsal Sheth, who usually celebrates Uttarayan in Gujarat every year, will miss out on doing so this time. Vatsal and his actress-wife Ishita Dutta Sheth were blessed with a baby girl in June last year, whom they have named Veda. Vatsal says, “We are excited as it’s Veda’s first Uttarayan celebration. I usually travel to Gujarat to fly kites—either I celebrate with cousins in Bhavnagar or fly kites in Ahmedabad. But since Veda is too young to travel, we will celebrate the festival at our home in Mumbai this year. In Mumbai, not too many people fly kites on Uttarayan. However, it’s one of my favourite festivals. So, kite toh fly karenge hi! I will miss celebrating the festival in Gujarat. I have fond memories of celebrating Uttarayan at my friend Apoorva Lakhia’s (filmmaker) house in Ahmedabad. Nothing can match the joy of being a part of witnessing the magic of the festival in the pols. I also enjoy celebrating it with my relatives in Bhavnagar.”

He adds, “I was pestering mom for the last few days to make aadu paak (adrak ka halwa) for us. She has prepared it and it’s delicious! She also makes amazing til chikkis, peanut chikkis and murmura chikkis. I also love eating undhiyu, mathiya and cholafali.”

‘Will introduce Vaayu to kites this time’

The Just Mohabbat and Taarzan: The Wonder Car actor, who made his debut in Gujarati films with Surprise last year, says he will “introduce Vaayu (his son) to kites this time.” He adds, “Once, he accompanied me to the terrace while I was flying kites and started throwing tantrums and crying, as he wanted to fly kites too. While I will show him how to fly kites, I am not sure if I should allow him to fly one. Kids have very tender skin, and he is too young, so we have to be careful.”

‘Used to carry kites to the sets’

Vatsal loves flying kites and even if he is shooting, he makes sure to do it. He shares, “Even if I am shooting during Uttarayan, I carry kites and firkis to the sets. I remember visiting kite markets with friends three or four days before the festival and carefully selecting which kites to buy. My friends and cousins would also buy good-quality kites and manjha for me from Surat. We also bought finger protection gloves. I will miss being on the terrace for the entire day, shouting ‘lapet’ and ‘kai po che.’"

‘I am enjoying being a good dad’

Symbolically, Uttarayan is also about soaring high, and I feel grateful because the last few months have been pretty amazing. We were blessed with a daughter, and I finally made my debut in Gujarati films, which was a long-cherished goal. I also started my AI company recently. Being a father to two young kids keeps you really busy, and I am enjoying being a good dad (smiles). I love spending time with Vaayu and Veda.