From romantic walks, to Pakeezah and pakoras, ARCHANA PURAN SINGH shares rainy favourites with SHAGUN GANDHI.
What’s your ideal way of spending a rainy day?
I live in the most gorgeous place to live during the rain, Madh Island. The first thing I do is rush to my garden or my balcony. I enjoy getting drenched. It’s just so beautiful to sit in the rain and watch it pour. We also have my husband’s favourite chai and pakora which is a great blessing when the weather is so gloomy. Much as we are dieting and nobody wants to eat fried food, it’s a ritual to have it during the first rain when we all are together!
Best movie to watch when it’s pouring?
It has to be PAKEEZAH. It’s a classic, my all-time favourite.
Any particular song you love to hear when it rains?
There’s just one iconic song I can remember; Raj Kapoor and Nargis standing coyly under an umbrella in the rain in ‘Pyaarhuaikraarhua…’ from SHREE 420. This song, without a doubt, ranks topmost among all my favourite rain songs. I have grown up listening to all the old romantic songs. Also, the ’70s and ’80s songs are the ones I love to hear when it pours. One of the most romantic songs is ‘Pal paldilkepaas…’.
A bizarre rain situation that you’ve experienced?
All of us have gone through that very embarrassing, sudden shower which has got our clothes transparent. I remember during my school days I was riding my scooter on my way back from school. And I suddenly got caught in a shower! I use to stay in Dehradoon and it’s all downhill. Racing towards my home and hoping that I was invisible on my scooter – which I wasn’t – is one thing that I remember. And first thing I do is go and look in the mirror, to check if it was looking as bad as I thought I was… And horrors, you discover that you are looking worse! When it’s a big occasion and a shower hits you, one thing that you’re horrified about is your hair. All these things used to bother me when I was younger but today I love the rains irrespective. Now we all run to the balcony and enjoy that gorgeous feeling of rain on your face.
A rainy and romantic moment with your husband?
Well, we’ve taken a few walks in the rain, typically hand in hand on the beach in Madh Island itself. We shifted here 11 years back. A couple of years ago, I remember walking on the beach with Parmeet; it started drizzling and instead of rushing back home we decided to continue the walk. Walking on a deserted beach with someone you care for and love is the most amazing feeling. It was a surreal experience.
How do you dress for a rainy run?
Firstly, whites should be avoided. What I generally prefer are capris. They are so comfortable and convenient. Also, comfortable shoes are very important for me. A big NO-NO to heels in this season.
