MONSOON MAGIC: Who can think of rain without thinking of garam chai and spicy pakoras? Well, that’s not the only indulgence the monsoon brings along…

Gurnaaz Kaur

The monsoon is magical. As the sky opens up, rain pours, one can’t resist the craving for chai-pakora. This weather makes you want to do certain things, like chit-chat with a friend or watch that all-time favourite film or play certain music. These actors share with us their monsoon indulgences.

Rain dance

Sumbul Touqeer

I love the rain. To get drenched in the downpour and dance are my favourite things to do. It’s been a routine since the childhood to be out in the rain and then when it gets really cold, cover myself in a warm blanket and enjoy some tea and pakodas. When I was a kid, I’d dance to some nostalgic monsoon-themed songs like Cham Cham.

Mission Marine Drive

Mayuri Deshmukh

My favourite thing in monsoon dates back to my teenage years when my best friend Shweta and I would stay at Churchgate. One monsoon, we decided to get a little filmy and enjoy the rains like they do in the movies. So, there we were, with our shoes in hands, we ran from one end of Marine Drive to the other. The waves would splash on us.

Steamed fish & pakoras

Shilpa Rao

Pre-Covid, I used to go to Marine Drive just to soak up some rain. It’s something I used to do since my college days. Post-Covid, obviously since we are still kind of holed up, I’ve cultivated an interest in gardening. My parents are with me now, what we do as a family during this weather is gorge on some steamed fish and pakoras with piping hot filter coffee. There are a lot of monsoon raagas in our Hindustani classical music that I have to listen to like Raag Megh, Megh Malhar and more. They bring such depth to the feeling of rain.

Words & raindrops

Pranati Rai Prakash

Oh, I love to have chai and read by the window, watching the raindrops. The greenery around is serene. But the one thing that I have realised is that the monsoon always makes you go slow. I’ve made a commitment to myself that no matter what, I will workout for at least 40 minutes a day.

Some reel pleasure

Rashmi Agdekar

Chai and monsoon is the perfect combination. While I usually snuggle in a cozy corner and watch movies. Lately, I have been enjoying reading on my balcony when it rains.

Learning spree

Salonie Patel

The monsoon represents new beginnings. Every monsoon I find myself wanting to learn something new. Last year, it was the keyboard, this year it was the ukulele, and two years ago it was an acting course. I feel creative and inspired when it’s rains.

Call of the mountains

Mahesh Shetty

The monsoon is a happy season for me. I either go for a bike ride or a car ride to Lonavala. From there, depending on the mood, I do a trek or come back in a day or stay there for 2-3 days. During the monsoons, mountains look majestic and being in the hills uplifts my spirit.

With Bella by the balcony

Aastha Gill

This is the time for me and my pet cat Bella to sit by the balcony and enjoy the rain. It has become a ritual. I pour myself a cup of coffee, listen to AR Rahman’s music and hours pass by. If I am not dieting, then relishing home-made samosas with family is also our way of spending quality time together.

Inspires creativity

Ritvik Sahore

I enjoy the monsoon and sitting beside my window, sipping a warm cup of coffee with music playing in the background. Staring at the clouds or the scenery gives me peace. It really helps me unwind. Playing the guitar is another thing that I like to do when it’s raining. Many people do not like overcast weather but it brings out creativity in me.

Driving in the rain

Sunayana Fozdar

Monsoon is my favorite time of the year. Everything is so poetic about this season. I enjoy beautiful and simple things in the rain such as going for a drive.