From a jewel-toned sari that catches the daylight to a decadent chocolate-brown sharara that turns up the evening glamour, Lahoma Bhattacharya steps into the festive season with two distinctly different Pujo moods. The actress plays with colour, texture and old-school glamour in a fashion-forward festive edit, while keeping the spirit of Pujo refreshingly personal. Between the pandal hopping, favourite festive fits and time with family and friends, Bhattacharya talks about dressing for the season, and why, beneath all the sparkle and style, Pujo remains her favourite kind of homecoming.
For me, Pujo is really about slowing down and being present with the people I love,” she says. For me, Durga Pujo is really about coming back to yourself and to the people who make home feel like home,” says Lahoma Bhattacharya. The styling stays intentionally jewellery-forward: a statement kundan-style choker with green stone detailing, layered with delicate earrings, stacked bangles and rings. The jewellery picks up the richness of the saree without making the look feel too bridal. Metallic embellished juttis/sandals peek out from beneath the drape, keeping the footwear festive but practical for a day of Puja hopping. The overall styling is polished, colourful and celebratory — traditional at its core, but with enough fashion drama for a contemporary Puja portrait The eyes can stay softly smoky in warm browns, with a precise black-brown liner hugging the lash line and plenty of mascara for definition. Keep the brows brushed and naturally structured. On the lips, a muted rosy-pink or warm nude-pink works best — polished enough to complement the saree without competing with its vivid colour The ornate gold work running vertically across the sharara elongates the silhouette, while the scalloped embroidered hem adds a traditional flourish. With the richness of the fabric doing much of the visual work, the accessories are kept refined — statement drop earrings and a cocktail-style ring are enough to finish the look without overwhelming it. The overall effect is festive, luxe and slightly old-school, with the silhouette giving the traditional sharara a distinctly contemporary edge. Lahoma Bhattacharya is keeping this year’s Pujo simple and intimate, with family time, catching up with friends, festive food and a bit of pandal hopping on the agenda. Rather than packing the festive days with plans, she wants to savour the slower, more personal side of the season. “This year, I’m hoping to keep Pujo a little more intimate and personal. I want to spend time with family, meet friends, eat all the food I’ve been waiting for all year, and of course, do a little pandal hopping. When pujo feels like coming home The actress sees Durga Pujo as a season of nostalgia, warmth and reconnection, with Maa’s homecoming evoking the familiar emotions of family, tradition and belonging. For her, the festival is as much an emotional return as it is a celebration. “Maa’s homecoming has always felt like an emotion more than just a festival. It’s that beautiful time of the year when everything feels a little brighter and you’re reminded of home, family and traditions. There’s so much joy, nostalgia and warmth attached to it.
