Bolly visitor on Sabyasachi’s Ganesh stage

Sabyasachi Dutta, Trinamul Congress candidate from Ward 31, did not ask for a high margin of victory from Lord Ganesh. Instead he asked for modaks, known to be the elephant god’s favourite item of bhog.

With Kaho Naa...Pyaar Hai and Gadar: Ek Prem Katha star Ameesha Patel in attendance alongside local actress Subhashree, BF Block witnessed a star-studded Ganesh puja this year — grander than other years — organised by Maitri Sangha, which is helmed by Dutta.

“I did not ask for votes from Lord Ganesh. Rather, I asked for modaks and his blessings,” laughed Dutta, in response to a question from The Telegraph Salt Lake. 

With an 18ft idol housed inside a pandal with intricate woodwork, Dutta’s claim of his puja being the biggest in Calcutta may contain a grain of truth. 

The star burst took place in the evening on September 19, two days after Ganesh Chaturthi.

“I was here for Durga puja last year and am now celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi. I’m more shocked than surprised to see Ganesh Chaturthi being celebrated in such a grand way in Calcutta. I find no difference between the scale of the festival in Mumbai and here. This makes me feel more at home,” she said, before singing a few lines from the title track of her superhit debut film Kaho Naa... Subhasree too sang some songs from her own films. 

Inputs from Aniket Sil