Durga Puja brings out my inner child: Ushasi Ray

For actress Ushasi Ray, Maa Durga’s arrival is the promise of a new strength and a chance to rebuild bonds. “Every time Maa comes home, it’s like life giving us all an opportunity to slow down and catch our breath,” said Ushasi during a special festive shoot. Read on to know about her Puja plans and more...

Feast without rules
“There’s no dieting during Pujo,” says Ushasi. From biryani and phuchka to rolls and pulao-mangsho, everything makes the festive list. “Streets buzz with aromas, turning outings into foodie adventures. My heart always returns to bhog – khichuri, beguni, labra,” she added.
From alarm clocks to dhaak beats
“I still remember waiting eagerly for Pujo holidays as a child — no studies, only fun. Even now, the excitement remains,” shares the actress. Amidst a hectic shooting schedule, Pujo is her escape from deadlines, scripts, and alarms, replaced by the soulful dhaak beats. She shared: “After Saptami at home, I will be on a much-needed vacation. Puja holidays are a double bonanza — festivity at home and the joy of travel.”
Togetherness that time cannot fade
Durga Puja is all about returning to her ancestral home for some much-needed family time. “Every Pujo, I find myself thinking of my childhood like dressing up in new clothes, watching rituals,” she said. “Even today, every Pujo brings back the same magic.”


Ushasi’s festive look

Outfit: Ushasi is wearing a yellow jacquard anarkali, paired with a blue embroidered organza drape from Wishful available in W stores
Make-up: Go for brown smokey eyes & a nude lip colour
Jewellery: Pair with heavy gold jhumkas or a choker
Footwear: Opt for juttis or embellished kitten heels

The thrill of draping something new and ethnic during the festival never fades. It’s all an essential part of the Pujo charm : Ushasi Ray

Ushasi Ray says, “Every year, my prayer to Maa Durga is peace and strength for everyone”

Pic: Kaustav Saikia; makeup-hair: Baban Islam; styling: Anupam Chatterjee