As the autumn breeze carries the rhythmic beats of dhol drums, Navratri arrives as a celebration of divine feminine power, joy, and togetherness. It is a time when the entire nation transforms into a massive dance floor, uniting people in high spirits, devotion, and endless festivities. Amidst shooting hectic schedules for Zee TV’s popular drama Jagadhatri—produced by Rahul Kumar Tewary Productions—talented actress Mansi Jain, who plays the role of Sonali Deshmukh, takes a moment to dive into the celebratory fervour. Mansi opens up about her personal connection to Navratri, her unforgettable fan encounters, and her ultimate festive essentials.
Navratri often brings out the most unexpected, beautiful moments of human connection, transcending every boundary through music and dance. Reminiscing about a deeply moving incident from her past celebrations, Mansi shares, “Once, an intellectually disabled person present at the pandal recognised me and approached me to dance with him. It was such a pure, unfiltered expression of joy, and turning into a shared dance made it an incredibly heart-touching moment that I will cherish forever.”
For true enthusiasts, the nine nights of festivities are never long enough, and fatigue takes a backseat when the music starts. Talking about her unmatched stamina on the dance floor, Mansi notes, “I love dancing so much that whether it is traditional garba or any other form, I can definitely keep going and make it all the way till the end without burning out!”
Navratri fashion is an art in its own, blending traditional aesthetics with modern comfort so one can twirl freely. Sharing her personal style mantra for the festive nights, she explains, “I really like a fusion look. As I said, I love dancing wholeheartedly, so I prefer keeping my costume comfortable while combining it with statement jewellery and some good, radiant, shimmery makeup to elevate the vibe.”
No Navratri playlist is complete without the iconic tracks that instantly make your feet tap. Listing her absolute favourite numbers, Mansi shares, “Actually, there are so many tracks that get me excited, but timeless classics like ‘Dholi Taro Dhol Baje’ and ‘Nagda Sang Dhol Baje’ will always hold a special place on my playlist.”
When asked to choose between non-stop dancing and indulging in festive delicacies, Mansi picks her side with a cheerful laugh, “Oh, without a doubt, I am completely on team festival feasting! Good food is an absolute essential part of the celebration.”
If she could pick one Bollywood star to match steps with during a high-energy performance, her choice is clear and spontaneous. “I would pick Ranveer Singh! He is a fabulous dancer with unmatched energy, and it would be so much fun to do a power-packed routine to ‘Nagda Sang Dhol Baje’ right alongside him.”
Summing up what these nine festive nights truly mean to her, Mansi defines the celebration with a blend of grace and enthusiasm. “Navratri for me is a beautiful mix of being traditional yet chic—it’s an emotion that is full of fun, devotion, and pure dhamal!”
