Sunflowers are the perfect gift of love for me: Susmita

The videshi and desi days of love, Valentine’s Day, and Saraswati Puja, are coinciding this year. So, it’s no surprise that Kolkata florists are gearing up to meet the surge in demand. We visited the Mallick Ghat flower market with actress Susmita Chatterjee, and she was elated to be at the Mallick Ghat flower market for the first time.
Expressing her joy, she said, “I’m visiting the Mallick Ghat flower market with the iconic Howrah Bridge in the backdrop, for the first time. I’ve crossed this place a lot of times, but never got a chance to visit the place. I know it’s one of the biggest flower markets in the country, and it’s an exciting experience to shoot here today.”
Awestruck by the array of colours around, the Chengiz actress quipped, “The strings of marigold all around along with bags full of roses make the place look so beautiful. Red roses are flooding the market, so much love in the air. I had no idea that wholesalers here sell flowers in kilos.”

Susmita also recalled her school days, and how the air is filled with so much warmth ahead of the two celebrations of love. “I’ve received bouquets of roses since my school days on V-Day, but to actually win my heart, one has to gift me fresh sunflowers. I love sunflowers as they are bright in colour, and it gives off a positive vibe. The sunflower is seen as a sign of hope, warmth, positivity, strength, strong bonds and lasting happiness. I would love to give a sunflower to my beloved, whenever it happens, as it symbolises loyalty and adoration. Above all, it is a happy flower that would brighten someone’s mood,” she added.
Lastly, talking about her V-Day plans, Susmita shared, “Saraswati Puja falls on the same day as Valentine’s Day- so it will be all yellow for me on that day. I offer marigold flowers from my terrace garden to the goddess of knowledge on Saraswati Pujo and the festival is all about purity and divinity for me.”

Pics: Tathagata Ghosh; makeup: Kaju Guha; hair: Amrapali; styled by: Kiara Sen