Mumbai: Raksha Bandhan may traditionally celebrate the bond between brothers and sisters, but for many, the relationship goes far beyond the ritual of tying a rakhi. This Raksha Bandhan, Sun NEO actors Suraj Pratap Singh, Aarti Birajdar and Neha Solanki opened up about their personal sibling bonds, childhood memories and the ways they continue to stand by their loved ones.
Suraj Pratap Singh, who plays Prem in Divya Prem: Pyaar Aur Rahasya Ki Kahani, revealed that he does not have a sister and grew up with two brothers. As the youngest in the family, Raksha Bandhan was associated with special childhood treats and outings.
“Since I was the youngest, my mother and both my brothers would take me to watch a movie on Raksha Bandhan,” Suraj recalled. He also fondly remembered enjoying his favourite outside food and plenty of ras malai, joking that he could easily eat 10 to 15 pieces at a time.
Although he never experienced the traditional ritual of receiving a rakhi from a sister, Suraj said his elder brothers have always protected and supported him. This year, however, Raksha Bandhan will take on a new meaning for him as Shuddhi from his show will tie a rakhi to him and become his younger sister.
Aarti Birajdar, who plays Vaidehi in Thodi Si Umeed Thoda Sa Aasmaan, said she has a younger sister but no brother. While the sisters did not always follow the conventional Raksha Bandhan ritual, their bond has always been built on mutual support and protection.
She recalled travelling to school and tuition classes with her sister on bicycles during childhood. Her younger sister often found excuses to avoid cycling and would sit behind Aarti instead, leaving her to do all the work.
Today, despite their busy professional lives, the sisters remain close. Aarti said Raksha Bandhan represents a promise that she will always stand by her sister whenever she needs emotional, financial or any other kind of support.
Neha Solanki, who will soon be seen as Rajnandini in Sun NEO’s upcoming show Rajnandini, spoke about her younger brother, who lives with their parents in Uttarakhand. She will be unable to travel home this year for Raksha Bandhan, but believes physical distance cannot weaken their relationship.
“Being away from home on a festival that celebrates the bond between siblings feels a little incomplete,” Neha said, adding that she would still make every effort to ensure her brother feels her love despite the distance.
Together, the three actors highlighted that the essence of Raksha Bandhan lies not merely in the exchange of rakhis and gifts, but in love, care, protection, companionship and the promise of being there for one another.
Divya Prem: Pyaar Aur Rahasya Ki Kahani airs at 7 pm and Thodi Si Umeed Thoda Sa Aasmaan at 7:30 pm, Monday to Saturday, exclusively on Sun NEO. Rajnandini is coming soon on the channel.
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