For any true Mumbaikar, the monsoon is not just a season—it is an emotion, a dramatic annual ritual, and a test of patience all rolled into one. For actress Mansi Srivastava, who currently plays Revati in Zee TV’s popular show Lakshmi Niwas, the rainy season brings a unique mix of cosy daydreams, relentless shooting schedules, and some unexpectedly wild adventures.
While the heavy downpours often turn the city’s bustling streets into a chaotic maze, Mansi finds her perfect escape in the romance of the rains, even when the reality of working on set brings its own set of challenges.
For her, nothing captures the mood better than the carefree energy of Kajol dancing in the rain. “If I had to pick one classic Bollywood song that perfectly captures my mood when looking out at the rainy Mumbai skyline, it would be the Kajol song from DDLJ—Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye, especially when the rain is falling chama cham cham!” she shares with a smile.
We have actually walked through full, waist-deep water to reach our shooting set. The funniest part? There was a water snake casually swimming right along the side of us.!
When the cravings hit, Mansi has her rainy-day cheat meals perfectly mapped out. “Onion pakorey with chai or coffee is an absolute must. And if I am in the mood for something else, it has to be steamy momos paired with a hot cappuccino.”
While her ideal rainy day involves staying tucked away from the chaos, the life of a television actor rarely allows for extended downtime. “I actually enjoy going out for long, quiet drives,” Mansi admits. “But sometimes, being tucked in a blanket and watching a Netflix series cosily with a cup of hot chocolate is an absolute dream rainy day. I really hope I get to experience that this season, but as actors, we are all shooting even through the heavy rains.”
Shooting during a Mumbai monsoon is famously unpredictable, but Mansi recalls one particular experience that takes the cake for being both chaotic and incredibly funny. “The show must go on, no matter what! We have actually walked through full, waist-deep water to reach our shooting set. The funniest part? There was a water snake casually swimming right along the side of us as we made our way to work!”
Managing high energy and flawless looks in a downpour is an art form in itself, one that Mansi credits heavily to her crew. “Our makeup stays intact thanks to our incredible makeup guys! Personally, I prefer doing less makeup during the rains because it is much easier to maintain. Shooting never gets disrupted here, even if there is a storm. All we can do is take care of ourselves. Health-wise, we have to be extra careful not to fall sick so the shoot can keep going.”
Like every resident of Mumbai, Mansi acknowledges the delicate balance that defines the season. It is a beautiful period, but one that severely tests a person’s patience. “Every Mumbaikar has a love-hate relationship with this season because an excess of anything is bad. Water that saves life can also take life. Potholes and falling trees are definitely the major cons of this otherwise beautiful weather.”
“Though it gets chaotic, our Mumbai Police is always incredibly helpful in controlling the traffic and managing the chaos on the roads,” she concludes.
