What's the one story about Lord Ganesh that comes to your mind?
My favourite story is where Ganapti and Karthik had a competition about who can travel across the circumference of the earth faster. Ganpati calmly took a walk around his parents. I like to hear this story as well as to tell it to my nephews and nieces, so that they learn about respecting parents.
Which has been your best memory of the festival?
I moved to Mumbai seven years ago and had only seen Ganesh Chaturthi on TV before that. The first time that I saw the celebrations I did not mind the fact that I was stuck in traffic for four hours because people's emotions were just magical. I fell in love with Ganpati after seeing the celebration.
Which is the best pandal you ever visited?
My favourite pandal is the one that we have on the sets of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai. Everyone attends the evening aarti together. We even go for the visarjan together dancing on the streets and it is so much fun.
What is your most favourite part of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi?
The fact that I get to eat sweets for 10 days (laughs).
In the spirit of going green, do you think the festival should be celebrated in an environment friendly manner? What suggestions would you give people in this respect?
Eco-friendly Ganpatis are a brilliant idea. I support natural colour, Ganpatis made of mud and artificial ponds. How can we insult the creator by ruining what he has given us? We should respect the shristi (universe) and not do anything that damages it.
What are your plans for the festival this year?
I will celebrate on the sets of Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai with my co-stars.
QUICK 5
Which your favourite Ganpati song from Bollywood?
Aarti from Vaastav
What dish or sweet do you make as prasad for Ganpati?
Bengali sweets like Kheer Kodom and Mishti Doi
Who are Ganapati's parents?
Shiv-Parvati
What are the names of Ganpati's wives?
He was never married.
What are the other names of Ganpati?
Ashtavinayak, Siddhivinayak, Ganesh
me first... 
