There is an undeniable magic to Mumbai when the dark monsoon clouds roll in. The otherwise fast-paced city transforms under the downpour, softening into a landscape of nostalgic charm and romantic, cosy moments. For television actor Aayushi Khurrana, who plays the lead role of Reet in Zee TV’s popular drama Jaane Anjaane Hum Mile, the monsoon season holds a special place in her heart, bringing together a sweet mix of cosy indoor days, shooting mishaps, and quintessential Mumbai indulgence.
Speaking about her love for the season, Aayushi shares her ultimate monsoon playlist, favourite comfort foods, and what shooting in the rain really looks like behind the screen. “I would pick ‘Rimjhim Gire Sawan’. It is timeless. There is something so comforting and nostalgic about that song as it perfectly matches the mood of Mumbai during monsoon,” she says on her go-to song.
About her rainy day comfort food, Aayushi is quick to tell us, “Hot Chocolate and Maggi are must-haves! If I am feeling extra-indulgent, I will definitely add Onion Pakoda to the list.”
This is how she unwinds during the monsoon. “I love cosy indoor days with a movie. But if the rain is not too heavy, a long drive with good music is my kind of therapy.”
Talking about hilarious behind-the-scenes mishaps during rain, Aayushi recollects, “We once had a scene where we needed to look emotional in the rain. But the ground was so slippery that we kept losing our balance during takes! We simply could not stop laughing. That was supposed to be an intense, serious scene, but it turned into total comedy behind the scenes.”
Speaking about surviving rain delays on set, she avers, “With a lot of patience and constant touch-ups, I stay hydrated. I keep snacking and reminding myself that rain delays are just part of the job!”
Aayushi accepts that Mumbai’s charm lies in its rains amid its adversities. “The biggest test of patience is definitely the traffic. During monsoons, a simple 20-minute drive can easily turn into an hour or more. That’s probably the biggest test of patience in Mumbai, and it can be so annoying! But honestly, it is all a part of the city’s unique charm. We complain about it every year, even when we know in our hearts that life wouldn’t be the same without the rains. We just need to accept and embrace it.”
